Esther 5:1–8
On the third day of the fast, Esther put on her royal robes and entered the inner court of the palace, just across from the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing there in the inner court, he welcomed her and held out the gold scepter to her. So Esther approached and touched the end of the scepter. [As Esther approaches the king to intercede for her people, life is extended to her.]
Then the king asked her, “What do you want, Queen Esther? What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!” [The offer of half of the kingdom is a way for the king to say “I look on you with favor.”]
And Esther replied, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a banquet I have prepared for the king.”
The king turned to his attendants and said, “Tell Haman to come quickly to a banquet, as Esther has requested.” So the king and Haman went to Esther’s banquet.
And while they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “Now tell me what you really want. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!” [The banquet is not just about honoring the king, and he knows that.]
Esther replied, “This is my request and deepest wish. If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request and do what I ask, please come with Haman tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for you. Then I will explain what this is all about.”
RESPONSE
- Esther was calculated and intentional in the way she presented her request. Even though she was fearful, she gave the matter thought and weight. When you are in situations where a lot is at stake, how are you tempted to react? (Do you avoid the situation and procrastinate, do you jump in and react quickly without thinking it through, or maybe you shut down and do nothing?)
- The king welcomes Esther into his presence. What does this tell us about how he views her? How is this different from the way he treated Vashti?