Esther6
New Living Translation
1That night the king had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant to bring the book of the history of his reign so it could be read to him.
2In those records he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the door to the king’s private quarters. They had plotted to assassinate King Xerxes.
3“What reward or recognition did we ever give Mordecai for this?” the king asked. His attendants replied, “Nothing has been done for him.”
4“Who is that in the outer court?” the king inquired. As it happened, Haman had just arrived in the outer court of the palace to ask the king to impale Mordecai on the pole he had prepared.
5So the attendants replied to the king, “Haman is out in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered.
6So Haman came in, and the king said, “What should I do to honor a man who truly pleases me?” Haman thought to himself, “Whom would the king wish to honor more than me?”
7So he replied, “If the king wishes to honor someone,
8he should bring out one of the king’s own royal robes, as well as a horse that the king himself has ridden—one with a royal emblem on its head.
9Let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble officials. And let him see that the man whom the king wishes to honor is dressed in the king’s robes and led through the city square on the king’s horse. Have the official shout as they go, ‘This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!’”
10“Excellent!” the king said to Haman. “Quick! Take the robes and my horse, and do just as you have said for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the gate of the palace. Leave out nothing you have suggested!”
11So Haman took the robes and put them on Mordecai, placed him on the king’s own horse, and led him through the city square, shouting, “This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!”
12Afterward Mordecai returned to the palace gate, but Haman hurried home dejected and completely humiliated.
13When Haman told his wife, Zeresh, and all his friends what had happened, his wise advisers and his wife said, “Since Mordecai—this man who has humiliated you—is of Jewish birth, you will never succeed in your plans against him. It will be fatal to continue opposing him.”
14While they were still talking, the king’s eunuchs arrived and quickly took Haman to the banquet Esther had prepared.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Esther 6.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Providence recommends Mordecai to the king's favour. (1–3). Haman's counsel honours Mordecai. (4–11). Haman's friends tell him of his danger. (12–14).
vv1-3
The providence of God rules over the smallest concerns of men. Not a sparrow falls to the ground without him. Trace the steps which Providence took towards the advancement of Mordecai. The king could not sleep when Providence had a design to serve, in keeping him awake. We read of no illness that broke his sleep, but God, whose gift sleep is, withheld it from him. He who commanded a hundred and twenty-seven provinces, could not command one hour's sleep.
vv4-11
See how men's pride deceives them. The deceitfulness of our own hearts appears in nothing more than in the conceit we have of ourselves and our own performances: against which we should constantly watch and pray. Haman thought the king loved and valued no one but himself, but he was deceived. We should suspect that the esteem which others profess for us, is not so great as it seems to be, that we may not think too well of ourselves, nor trust too much in others. How Haman is struck, when the king bids him do honour to Mordecai the Jew, the very man whom he hated above all men, whose ruin he was now designing!
vv12-14
Mordecai was not puffed up with his honours, he returned to his place and the duty of it. Honour is well bestowed on those that do not think themselves above their business. But Haman could not bear it. What harm had it done him? But that will break a proud man's heart, which will not break a humble man's sleep. His doom was, out of this event, read to him by his wife and his friends. They plainly confessed that the Jews, though scattered through the nations, were special objects of Divine care. Miserable comforters are they all; they did not advise Haman to repent, but foretold his fate as unavoidable. The wisdom of God is seen, in timing the means of his church's deliverance, so as to manifest his own glory.
Key Words
לַיִל: properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity
מֶלֶךְ: a king
נָדַד: properly, to wave to and fro (rarely to flap up and down); figuratively, to rove, flee, or (causatively) to drive away
שֵׁנָה: sleep
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
בּוֹא: to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
סֵפֶר: properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
זִכְרוֹן: a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
Cross References
Esther 6Haman arrives early to request hanging Mordecai on the very gallows he recently constructed.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallels Pharaoh's royal public proclamation and honor bestowed on Joseph through the streets of Egypt.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The recorded account of Bigthan and Teresh's plot which Mordecai previously exposed.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Haman's extreme self-conceit directly illustrates pride going before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Solomon riding the king's own mule illustrates the high Persian honor of riding the king's horse.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Like Joseph forgotten by the chief butler, Mordecai was initially unrewarded despite saving the king's life.
Supported by Matthew Poole
God takes the wise in their own craftiness, trapping Haman in his own sudden advice.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Haman covering his head in mourning parallels David's posture of grief during his flight from Absalom.
The chamberlains hasten Haman, leading directly to the banquet where his plot is fully exposed.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Mordecai immediately returns to the king's gate, demonstrating his humility after receiving supreme royal honor.
Supported by Matthew Poole