Ladies Bible Class: Esther, Lesson 19

Esther Lesson 19

Chapter 6: 1 - 14

The book of Esther:  A study of God in action when nothing appears to be happening!

by Patsy Norwood (c) 2023 - 2024.  All Rights Reserved.

In our last lesson we left Haman ... and his wife ... and his friends planning a gruesome and supposedly soon to happen death for Mordecai!

In today’s lesson however, things get a bit challenging for Haman …

Let's pick up where we left off last week with verse 1 in chapter 6 ...

1 That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.

What a perfect time for insomnia, God’s timing is always right on time!

“the book of the records of the chronicles” … we mentioned those back in lesson 10.  In essence, they were a journal of the daily doings and happenings of the king.

“and they were read before the king” … he didn’t read them his self, but had them read to him.

2  And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 

The king is apparently listening and listening well, especially to the part about the betrayal by Bigthana and Teresh … and about who had most likely saved his life.

3 Then the king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?”  And the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.”

Big moment here!  Light bulb moment, in fact!  Mordecai should have been rewarded when the treason was reported but he wasn’t.

The king stops the reading and wants to know, “what honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?”

The answer he received of, “Nothing has been done for him” was not satisfactory.

The discovery of treason or conspiracy against the life of the king entitled the informant to some kind of reward and it was the responsibility of the king to see that the informant was rewarded.  The king, however, seems to assume that the reward had already been given, but since he apparently did not remember, he gave the inquiry.

4  So the king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king’s palace to suggest that the king hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.

Look at God’s timing!  Haman has come to ask the king for permission to hang the man the king has just been reminded saved his life, the man Haman has already or is in the process of having gallows built to hang.

Some sources say that Haman came earlier than normal, before daybreak in fact, to be first in line to see the king.  His impulsiveness to hasten his plan was going to cost him deeply and dearly.  Little did he know that by his over eagerness, he was sitting himself up to be the one to give the highest honor to his arch enemy, the very man he was planning to kill.

5 The king’s servants said to him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.”  And the king said, “Let him come in.”

The king’s attendants/servants looked out into the outer court and saw Haman … and he was granted entrance.

6  So Haman came in, and the king asked him, “What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?”  Now Haman thought in his heart, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?”

Haman walks in … do you think he walks in with a prideful strut?  Do you think he thinks that he has, once again, come up with a plan to manipulate the king, a plan that, if successful, would result in the king signing over Mordecai’s immediate demise to himself.

“Now Haman thought in his heart …” Haman is so sure that he is the man the king wants to honor. 

“Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” … Haman is egotistical, to say the least and has a very high opinion of himself as well!

7 And Haman answered the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, 

You can almost see the wheels turning and plans coming together in his mind to promote himself in the most glorious way he can think of.

8  let a royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which the king has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head. 

These were all powerful symbols of royal authority!  Haman is going for the gusto, he wants it all!

To wear a dress previously worn by the king was under ordinary circumstances, a breach of Persian law (Plut, ‘Vit. Artax,’5); but the king might allow it (Herod, 7:17) or condone it (Plut, 1.s.c.).

This seems to be what is occurring here, which makes the honor even more prestigious!

9 Then let this robe and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that he may array the man whom the king delights to honor. Then parade him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!’ ”

Haman goes on … symbols of prestige, power, glory, honor … Oh, he can almost feel all the adoration about to be heaped upon himself already.

Do you think Haman could have been entertaining thoughts of even taking the crown????  Do you think the king suspected this as a possibility?

10  Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry, take the robe and the horse, as you have suggested, and do so for Mordecai the Jew who sits within the king’s gate! Leave nothing undone of all that you have spoken.”

“Hurry …” … this matter had been delayed for far too long and the king wanted it attended to immediately!

This verse has a lot to unpack, not only has Haman been deflated in a most un-ceremonial way but look at the wording, “Mordecai the Jew.”  The king now realizes that Mordecai is a Jew, which means Queen Esther is a Jew.

“Leave nothing undone …” … make sure my orders are followed right down to the last detail … Haman’s cleverly detailed and outlined, details!!!

Has the king put two and two together?  Is he realizing that things might not be on the up and up with Haman?

11 So Haman took the robe and the horse, arrayed Mordecai and led him on horseback through the city square, and proclaimed before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!”

There was no way for Haman to get out of this now, he literally had no choice, his humiliation would be deep and hurtful.  All those whom he had spoken of about Mordecai, all those who knew the gallows had been built for the purpose of hanging Mordecai, would now see his humiliation complete and on public display.

Sidenote:  Mordecai was still in his sackcloth and ashes when Haman approached him, what thoughts could have been going through his mind?  He had no idea what had just transpired in the king’s palace, so he didn't have a clue as to what Haman was up to this time!

Here’s what Josephus says about the incident:  When he heard this order, which was entirely unexpected, he was confounded in his mind, and knew not what to do.  However, he went out and led the horse, and took the purple garment, and the golden chain for the neck, and finding Mordecai before the court, clothed in sackcloth, he bade him put that garment off, and put the purple garment on: but Mordecai not knowing the truth of the matter, but thinking that it was done in mockery, said, “O though wretch, the vilest of all mankind, dost though thus laugh at our calamities?”  But when he was satisfied that the king bestowed this honor upon him, for the deliverance he had procured him when he convicted the eunuchs who had conspired against him, he put on that purple garment which the king always wore and put the chain about his neck,  and got on horseback, and went round the city, while Haman went before, and proclaimed, “This shall be the reward which the king will bestow on everyone whom he loves, and esteems worthy of honor.”

12 Afterward Mordecai went back to the king’s gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered. 

Mordecai returns to his sackcloth and ashes while Haman hurries home understanding in a personal way what had just happened.

Did Haman blame Mordecai for this also? 

Do you think that Haman is beginning to wonder if he might have made a mistake in going after the Jews?

Taking a quick look at both men and at what has just transpired, it seems safe to say that this event did nothing to change either man. 

13 When Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him, his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him but will surely fall before him.”

This excerpt from Coffman’s commentary helps to understand this better …

Everyone in Susa knew the providential blessing of the Jews, beginning with Cyrus’ edict for their return to Jerusalem; and the people, including Haman’s ‘wise men,’ were aware of the hand of God in Jewish history.

Poor Haman, now even his wise men and wife are reminding him of things he doesn’t want to be reminded of … in his taking on the Jews, he has taken on the God of the universe!  Haman couldn't win no matter how hard it tried!

14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs came, and hastened to bring Haman to the banquet which Esther had prepared.

I don’t think Haman was looking as forward to this banquet as he was the first one!

With Zeresh’s warning ringing in his ears, Haman is escorted to the banquet he had been bragging about being invited to just a few hours earlier.

“The king’s eunuchs came and hastened to bring Haman to the banquet” … Haman was not going to be a “no show” for this one!

What a day!  Before we close out this lesson let’s do a quick recap …

Haman starts the day at the very top of his glory and power …

Haman ends the day humiliated and deflated …

What a difference a day can make when God is working behind the scenes!

How reassuring it is to see and know that God works in the details!

I hope you’ve enjoyed today's lesson.  Don't forget to leave a comment and if you're enjoying this class, please share the link with other ladies who you think might enjoy it as well.

Next week we see things go from bad to worse for Haman as we look at chapter 7 of Esther.

Links to previous lessons can be found HERE.

Until the next class ...

patsy @ From This Heart of Mine; (c) 2023 - 2024 by Patsy Norwood ~ All Rights Reserved.