“And the king said to her, 'What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.'”
Esther 5:3
Summary
In Esther 5, Queen Esther courageously approaches King Ahasuerus in the inner court, risking her life since she was not summoned. The king, however, receives her favorably and extends the golden scepter, indicating she may speak. He promises to grant her any request, up to half of his kingdom. Esther invites the king and Haman to a banquet she has prepared, strategically setting the stage for her petition. During the banquet, the king repeats his offer to fulfill her request, and Esther invites them to a second banquet the following day, promising to disclose her plea then. Haman leaves in high spirits but is enraged when he sees Mordecai at the king's gate, refusing to bow. Upon returning home, he boasts to his family and friends about his wealth, many sons, and favor with the king, yet his joy is overshadowed by Mordecai's defiance. At his wife's and friends' suggestion, Haman constructs gallows to execute Mordecai the next day, proposing to obtain the king's permission to carry out the hanging.