Esther 6
Esther 6 is the part where the moment of reversal is depicted dramatically. In this chapter, Mordecai’s deed of saving the king’s life is brought back into focus, and an unexpected turn occurs in Haman’s plan. Amid the palace affairs unfolding in a brilliant and fast-paced way, the tension builds over who will gain honor.
1verseOn 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.
2verseIt 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.
3verseThe 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.”
4verseThe 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.
5verseThe king’s servants said to him, “Behold, Haman stands in the court.” The king said, “Let him come in.”
6verseSo 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?”
7verseHaman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor,
8verselet 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 royal crown is set.
9verseLet 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 it shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!’”
10verseThen 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.”
11verseThen Haman took the clothing and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and had him ride through the city square, and proclaimed before him, “Thus it shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!”
12verseMordecai came back to the king’s gate, but Haman hurried to his house, mourning and having his head covered.
13verseHaman 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.”
14verseWhile they were yet talking with him, the king’s eunuchs came, and hurried to bring Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
Plot and Structure
- The king can’t sleep and checks the records: King Ahasuerus cannot sleep at night, so he reads the chronicles. In the process, he discovers again the fact that Mordecai had reported the officials who had tried to assassinate him.
- Haman appears and a misunderstanding follows: The king wonders how he should honor Mordecai, and he asks Haman—who has just arrived—how it should be done. Haman mistakenly assumes he will receive honor himself and proposes the very best treatment.
- The honor of the reversal: The king commands Haman to carry out that proposal for Mordecai. Unintentionally, Haman ends up elevating Mordecai, and the situation unfolds contrary to his intentions.
Overall Flow and Meaning
Esther 6 is a scene where human plans and providence intersect. Mordecai’s good deed was forgotten for a time, but at the decisive moment it is remembered and leads to reward. On the other hand, Haman’s arrogance and pride ultimately cause the honor he had planned for himself to be given to Mordecai. This flow leads one to reflect on how an invisible hand works in life, and how the fruits of good deeds ultimately come to fruition.
Points to Reflect On
- Can you believe that good actions that were forgotten will surely be remembered and rewarded?
- Are you not caught in the desire to pursue honor? You can think again about the humble attitude that God desires.
Apply It to Me
Even if my small good deeds and faithfulness aren’t immediately visible, I will place my trust in the fact that they can come back one day as good fruit. Also, within the role or calling I have, I can commit myself to a life of humility—handling the work entrusted to me rather than becoming proud or trying to raise myself up excessively.
