Esther 6 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Esther 6

The King Honors Mordecai

6:1 On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. 2 And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana¹ and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 3 And the king said, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” The king’s young men who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” 4 And the king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king’s palace to speak to the king about having Mordecai hanged on the gallows² that he had prepared for him. 5 And the king’s young men told him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.” And the king said, “Let him come in.” 6 So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” And Haman said to himself, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” 7 And Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, 8 let royal robes be brought, which the king has worn, and the horse that the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown³ is set. 9 And let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king delights to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the square of the city, proclaiming before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’” 10 Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry; take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Leave out nothing that you have mentioned.” 11 So Haman took the robes and the horse, and he dressed Mordecai and led him through the square of the city, proclaiming before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.”

12 Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered. 13 And Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him.”

Esther Reveals Haman’s Plot

14 While they were yet talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried to bring Haman to the feast that Esther had prepared.

Footnotes

[1] 6:2 Bigthana is an alternate spelling of Bigthan (see 2:21)
[2] 6:4 Or wooden beam (see note on 2:23)
[3] 6:8 Or headdress

Commentary

v1-3: Between the two banquets, the king had a sleepless night, and discovered that Mordecai had not been honoured for his loyalty.

It was important that Esther's request (7.3-4) was made after this discovery, for the king would not want to put to death the man who saved his life.

The hand of God is clearly seen in these developments, especially in the timing.

v4-6: Even Haman's arrival was in God's timing; but his scheme was about to be dramatically changed. The king put his request to Haman. Haman was incurably proud, expecting that only he would receive honour from the king.

v7-9: Haman sought the king's place; his description was of his hope for himself, seeking to appear in every way like the king himself.

Satan seeks such power, but Jesus Christ has been exalted, the man whom our God delighted to honour; Christ shares the Father's glory (Rev 19.11-13); a horse, a crown, a robe. There will be a public, even universal, proclamation that Jesus Christ is Lord.

v10-11: Haman's plans began to fail, as he had to give honour to Mordecai. The king seemed to be ignorant of Haman's hatred of Mordecai.

Mordecai is "the Jew"; another piece in the picture, as God protected His people, for the Jewish people were under condemnation.

Ultimately, even Satan's works shall come to bring praise to God, for all things will be put under Christ's feet.

v12-14: Haman's delight (5.14) was turned to grief inside a day. The Jewish people, against whom he had set himself, were protected by God. Had the stories of God's deliverance spread around the empire and reached Haman's household? Zeresh, Haman's wife, advised that he would come to ruin. She showed grudging respect for this distinctive people.