Esther 5:1-14

5:2 | The king’s scepter symbolized his power and his favor. Here, it also meant that Esther would not be killed for entering his inner court without invitation (4:11).

5:3 | Esther’s concern was so great that she willingly risked her life in order to have an audience with the king that day – a fact that did not escape Xerxes. When a person’s course is righteous, God will reinforce his or her courage.

5:8 | Why did Esther delay her request? Whatever the reason, God used the delay to further His purposes for Mordecai, Haman, and ultimately the Jewish people. While we are waiting, God is working.

5:9-14 | Haman was so enraged at Mordecai’s continued refusal to honor him that all the privileges he had been bestowed were as nothing. Selfishness and pride can quickly breed ingratitude, envy, and even murderous hatred, as it did for Haman.

Persian Gallows: The murder plot that Haman and his inner circle hatched against Mordecai centered on his death at the gallows. Persians did not execute people with a rope around their neck. Rather, they impaled their victims on a tree. The gallows that Haman’s family suggested served as a visual symbol of his pride (Prov. 16:18). This huge, seven-and-a-half story structure was much too large for the small-of-stature Mordecai, but it would be easily visible for miles. The purpose was to destroy this stubborn, uncooperative Jew and put his corpse on display for the entire world to see - all to humiliate the Jews.