Today we continue in the book of Esther. The queen is ready to approach the king according Mordecai’s instructions. Note that “on the third day” Esther put on her royal robes (5:1). This pictures Christ’s resurrection, when He was resurrected as King. The king’s favor was on Esther because the King’s favor was upon her, and she is able to approach him (vv. 2-3). And she asks to throw a party for just him and Haman (v. 4). At the party, she asks to throw another party for the two of them (v. 8). The king likes parties, remember.

Then we see God’s sovereign hand on this situation in Persia. Haman thinks much of himself because he was invited to eat with the king and queen (v. 9, 11-12). But then he sees Mordecai and his anger returns (v. 9, 13). His closest advisors tell him to build a giant gallows and convince the king to hang Mordecai (v. 14). As we have seen, Haman can easily manipulate the king.

But while Haman is making his wicked plans, that very night, the king has insomnia (6:1). To help him sleep, he has the chronicles brought to be read to him. And he is reminded how Mordecai saved his life (v. 2 – see 2:19-23), and he is told that nothing was ever done to reward Mordecai (v. 4). Then here comes Haman to try to manipulate the king (v. 5). He is so full of himself, that he assumes the king is talking about him in verses 6-9. After all, who else gets to hang out with just the king and queen? What a surprise it must have been to the enemy of the Jews that the king tells him to honor his enemy (v. 10). Seeing that his Jewish enemy has been exalted by the sovereign king, Haman knows he will only be defeated in this war (v. 13). But there’s no time to cry about it, it’s time for the feast with the king and queen (v. 14).

After the party, as the king is drinking (2:2), Esther finally reveals her wish (vv. 3-4). Not knowing that Haman was the one who sought the life of the queen, the king asks who the enemy is (v. 5). Remember, Haman didn’t know the queen was Jewish. So Esther reveals the enemy (v. 6). Now Haman – the enemy of God’s people – is humbled (v. 7). As he’s begging for his life, he falls before the queen to beg for mercy, but the king just happens to be walking in at that moment and thinks Haman is attacking her (v. 8). And the snare that Haman has laid for his enemy becomes his own undoing (vv. 9-10).