Esther 5, Esther's Intervention

Haman intends to exterminate the Jews.  Mordecai has convinced Esther she must enter the throne room and appeal to the king. This is a risky act. Entering the king's court without permission could be punished by death.  The king has not been near his queen for over a month. Possibly he is tired of her and so she may be giving him a chance to do away with her. Esther and the Jews in Susa have fasted for three days in preparation for this event.

Esther 5: 1-3, Entrance into the court

On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king's hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance.
 

When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

Then the king asked, "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you."

 

Esther goes into the king's court.  He is pleased with her and welcomes her. (His offer of "half the kingdom" is an oriental courtesy, affirming his hopes to grant her request.)

Esther 5: 4-5, Esther's first petition

"If it pleases the king," replied Esther, "let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him."

"Bring Haman at once," the king said, "so that we may do what Esther asks." So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared.

Esther's first request is a simple one. "Please, come to a banquet with me. Bring [your buddy] Haman." Esther's intervention for her people will be slow and patient, guided by her understanding (after five years) of palace diplomacy.

Esther 5: 6-8, Esther's second petition

As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, "Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted."

Esther replied, "My petition and my request is this: If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king's question."
 

Esther is given another chance to petition the king and requests a second banquet. She promises to make her real request there. Esther builds suspension, with patience and diplomacy.

Esther 5: 9-11, Haman's confidence

Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king's gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. 

Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials.

In a glorious bit of storytelling, our author describes Haman's arrogance, boasting and anger. Haman is a model of the despicable tyrant, grasping at power, anxious to be worshiped, easily insulted. We, the listeners to this story, so desperately want him to be brought down!

Esther 5: 12-14, Haman's confidence

"And that's not all," Haman added. "I'm the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate."

His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Have a gallows built, seventy-five feet high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go with the king to the dinner and be happy." 

This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the gallows built.

Haman is thrilled to be part of this banquet and boasts about the queen's invitation. Like all tyrants, he does not see his fall.  Haman boasts to his wife of his power and influence. But easily insulted, Mordecai's refusal to bow down to him ruins his joy at any honors. So his wife and friends encourage him to have gallows built for Mordecai. Mordecai likes this and plans to approach the king immediately, the next morning.

Huey suggests that the height of the gallows (or pole) is deliberately exaggerated, evidence of Haman's hubris.

The word translated "gallows" here is ets, literally "tree" or "wood". In the ancient Near East it was common to execute a criminal by impaling them on a stake and leaving their body up on the stake for public viewing. It is possible that that is the plan here.