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Esther, 6

1. On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.

1. As he was sleepless that night, the king asked for the Book of Chronicles and ordered that the record of his reign be read to him.

2. And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.

2. He came across the passage wherein Mordecai exposed a plot to assassinate King Ahasuerus, the plot of two royal eunuchs guarding the gate, Bagathan and Teresh.

3. And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.

3. The king asked, "What reward and honor did Mordecai receive for this?" The king's attendants answered, "None, your majesty."

4. And the king said, Who [is] in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.

4. Haman had entered the outer court, wanting to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows he had erected. "Who is there in the court?" the king asked.

5. And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.

5. So the king's attendants answered, "Haman is there, standing in the court." The king ordered, "Let him come in."

6. So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?

6. When Haman entered, the king asked him, "What should be done to the man the king wishes to honor?" Haman thought to himself: whom would the king wish to honor but me?

7. And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,

7. So he replied, "For the man the king wishes to honor,

8. Let the royal apparel be brought which the king [useth] to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:

8. let royal robes be brought which the king has worn, and a horse, which the king has ridden, with a royal diadem on its head.

9. And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man [withal] whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

9. The robes and the horse should be handed to one of the king's noblest officers who should array the man the king wishes to honor and lead him on horseback through the city street, proclaiming before him: 'This is what is done for the man the king is pleased to honor!'"

10. Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, [and] take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.

10. The king ordered Haman, "Hurry! Take the robes and the horse and do as you have said for the Jew Mordecai sitting at the royal gate. Do not leave out anything you have recommended."

11. Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

11. So Haman took the robes and the horse, arrayed Mordecai and led him on horseback through the streets, proclaiming, "This is what is done for the man the king is pleased to honor!"

12. And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.

12. After this Mordecai returned to the king's gate, while Haman hurried home greatly dejected and with his head veiled.

13. And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every [thing] that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai [be] of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.

13. He told his wife and all his friends everything that had happened, and they said to him, "If Mordecai, who started your downfall, is of Jewish origin, you will not win against him. You will surely be ruined."

14. And while they [were] yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.

14. While they were still talking, the king's eunuchs arrived and escorted Haman to the banquet Esther had prepared.



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Footnotes:

6:1-2 - The king, unable to sleep, requests that the records be read. This demonstrates God's sovereignty, using even insomnia to promote justice and remember the good deeds of Mordecai (see also Psalm 121:3-4 and Proverbs 21:1).

6:3-4 - The king discovers that Mordecai was not rewarded for saving his life. This revelation highlights the importance of recognizing and rewarding good deeds, showing that God does not forget what we do in His name (see also Hebrews 6:10 and Matthew 10:42).

6:5-11 - Haman is used as an unwitting instrument to honor Mordecai, revealing divine irony. This turn of events shows how God can turn situations around in favor of His servants (see also Psalm 37:1-2 and Galatians 6:7).

6:12-14 - Mordecai returns to the palace, and Haman is humiliated. This humiliation is a reminder that pride leads to downfall, while humility is rewarded. God's sovereignty prevails over human arrogance (see also Proverbs 16:18 and Luke 14:11).

06:14 - Haman receives warning of the impending calamity that awaits him. This underscores the idea that evil plots against God's people will not prosper and that divine justice always prevails (see also Psalm 37:12-15 and Romans 12:19).

Verses related to Esther, 6:

Esther chapter 6 narrates a surprising turn of events. How does God intervene in unexpected ways? The text recounts the king's insomnia, the discovery of Mordecai's unrewarded loyalty, and Haman's humiliation. This tongue-in-cheek chapter explores themes of divine providence, poetic justice, and the reversal of fortunes. Esther 6 demonstrates how God can use seemingly trivial circumstances for His purposes. Consider with us five biblical passages that relate to the providential themes of this surprising chapter.

Proverbs 16:18: "Pride comes before destruction; the haughty spirit, before the fall." - This proverb reflects the fate of Haman in Esther 6, where his pride precedes his humiliation.

Luke 14:11: "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." - This teaching of Jesus echoes the contrast between Mordecai's exaltation and Haman's humiliation in Esther 6.

Psalms 75:7: "But it is God who judges: He humiliates one and exalts another." - This verse reflects the reversal of fortunes seen in Esther 6, where God elevates Mordecai and humbles Haman.

1 Samuel 2:30: "Therefore, the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that the members of your household would serve me forever.' But now the Lord declares: 'Far be it from me! I will honor those who honor me, but those who despise me will be despised.'" - This statement from God to Eli reflects the principle seen in Esther 6, where Mordecai is honored for his faithfulness.

Matthew 6:4: "so that your alms are given in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." - This verse reflects how Mordecai's secret good deed (Esther 2:21-23) is finally publicly rewarded in Esther 6.

FAQ:

What happened when the king couldn't sleep and read the book of chronicles?

The king read about the conspiracy against him, which Mordecai prevented. This led to the decision to publicly honor Mordecai, which changed the fate of Esther and the Jewish people. (Esther 6:1-3)

How was Haman forced to honor Mordecai?

The king ordered Haman to take Mordecai through the streets of the city in a royal chariot, proclaiming the honor he deserved, which was a great humiliation for Haman. (Esther 6:10-12)

How did Haman react to the humiliation he suffered?

Haman was in despair and told his wife and friends about his humiliation, receiving a warning that he would not win the battle against Mordecai. (Esther 6:13-14)

What did the king ask Haman about how to reward someone who pleased the king?

Haman, believing the king was talking about him, suggested a great honor. The king then ordered Haman to do exactly what he suggested, but for Mordecai, not for himself. (Esther 6:6-11)


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