Esther 6
Read Esther 6 (WEB)+
1On that night, the king couldn’t sleep. He commanded the book of records of the chronicles to be brought, and they were read to the king. 2It was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who were doorkeepers, who had tried to lay hands on the King Ahasuerus. 3The king said, “What honor and dignity has been given to Mordecai for this?” Then the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” 4The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had come into the outer court of the king’s house, to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. 5The king’s servants said to him, “Behold, Haman stands in the court.” The king said, “Let him come in.” 6So Haman came in. The king said to him, “What shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” Now Haman said in his heart, “Who would the king delight to honor more than myself?” 7Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, 8let royal clothing be brought which the king uses to wear, and the horse that the king rides on, and on the head of which a crown royal is set. 9Let the clothing and the horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man whom the king delights to honor with them, and have him ride on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him, ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!’” 10Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry and take the clothing and the horse, as you have said, and do this for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Let nothing fail of all that you have spoken.” 11Then Haman took the clothing and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and had him ride through the city square, and proclaimed before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!” 12Mordecai came back to the king’s gate, but Haman hurried to his house, mourning and having his head covered. 13Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him, but you will surely fall before him.” 14While they were yet talking with him, the king’s eunuchs came, and hurried to bring Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
World English Bible (public domain)
“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.”
Esther 6:1
Summary
In Esther chapter 6, a pivotal moment unfolds overnight as King Ahasuerus experiences sleeplessness and consequently orders the book of memorable deeds to be read to him. It is discovered that Mordecai had previously saved the king's life by uncovering a conspiracy but had not been rewarded. At the same time, Haman arrives to request Mordecai’s execution but is instead ordered by the king to honor Mordecai by leading him through the city in royal apparel. This chapter highlights the theme of divine providence and the reversal of fortunes. It underscores the unexpected ways in which God orchestrates events and elevates the humble while bringing down the proud. The irony in Haman's planning contrasts sharply with God's sovereign plans, emphasizing the theological belief in God's ultimate control over human affairs.
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