Esther, Chapter 5:

Verses from Esther, Chapter 5 of the book of Esther in the Bible.

Esther - Old Testament — Esther – Old Testament

Esther's request to the king

1. After three days Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner courtyard of the palace, opposite the king's hall. The king was sitting on his throne facing the entrance.
2. When the king saw Queen Esther in the courtyard, he had compassion on her and held out the golden scepter that was in his hand. Esther came near and touched the tip of the scepter.
3. Then the king asked, “What do you want, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even if it is half the kingdom, it will be granted to you.”
4. Esther replied, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come to the banquet I have prepared for them.”
5. The king ordered, “Bring Haman at once so he can do what Esther asks.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
6. While they were drinking wine, the king asked Esther again, “What is your request? It will be granted. What is your wish? Even half the kingdom will be granted to you.”
7. Esther replied, “This is my request and desire:
8. If the king is considerate of me and is willing to grant my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I have prepared for them. Then I will answer the king's question.”
9. That day Haman went out happy and well pleased. But he was furious when he saw Mordecai standing at the palace gate and not getting up or showing him respect.
10. But Haman controlled his anger and went home. He called his friends and his wife Zeresh,
11. and he began to boast of his riches, of the great number of his children, and of how the king had honored and promoted him above all the other nobles and officials.
12. Haman continued, “Besides, I was the only one invited by Queen Esther to accompany the king to the banquet she prepared. She has invited me to come with the king tomorrow.”
13. But all this did not please Haman, as he saw Mordecai the Jew sitting at the gate of the king's palace.
14. Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends suggested, “Have a gallows built that is more than sixty feet high, and in the morning ask the king to hang Mordecai on it. Then you can go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion pleased Haman, and he had the gallows built.