1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the scepter.
God put it into the king’s heart to be pleased to see Esther. This way she wasn’t killed.
3 Then said the king unto her, “What wilt thou, queen Esther? And what is thy request? It shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.”
When God puts favor in someone’s eyes, He does a good job of it. The king was so happy to see Esther he offered her half his kingdom!
4 And Esther answered, “If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.”
She wanted to make sure everything was just right and in God’s perfect timing. Had she just opened with her problem, right there in the court in front of everyone, it is likely that the king would have gotten defensive. By waiting and “buttering him up” she made him even more inclined to listen to her.
Many a modern wife would do good to learn from Esther’s wisdom. Yes, we need to make our problems known to our hubbies, but there is a time and way to do it that won’t tear down their manhood, or get them in a defensive mode, and will incline them to really listen to us.
5 Then the king said, “Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said.” So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
6 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, “What is thy petition? And it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.”
Ahasuerus was no idiot. He could tell that Esther hadn’t come to him just to invite him to a party. She had something else on her mind.
Many a modern husband would do well to learn from him, too. A man is responsible for the physical, mental and spiritual welfare of his wife and should pay attention to her and know when something is up, even when she is reluctant to admit what it is.
7 Then answered Esther, and said, “My petition and my request is;
Yes, yes….
8 “If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow as the king hath said.”
“I will be ready to tell you tomorrow.”
She is likely including Haman in these parties partly because you want to “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” (Machiavelli in "The Prince) By keeping him busy with her and the king she can prevent him from causing any more trouble.
She is also being on the up-and-up. She is not going behind Haman’s back to accuse him, but will bring the accusations to his face.
This is a basic principle of justice, giving the accused a real chance to answer for himself. Jesus commanded that we do the same when we have a problem with a brother Christian, (Matthew 18:16) And it is part of Ancient Roman Law (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confrontation_Clause ), English Common Law and our Constitution (The Sixth Amendment).
9 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.
Mordecai spoiled his good mood.
10 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.
He didn’t strike out at Mordecai right then, but called for counsel (or at least ears to hear his complaint).
11 And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.
12 Haman said moreover, “Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and tomorrow am I invited unto her also with the king.
He is bragging about all his accomplishments and seems to have entirely missed that Esther is upset about something. He only sees that he is the only honored guest at her party.
13 “Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.”
When we focus on our problems, the good things in life seem unimportant. If Haman had only focused on the good things in his life, it would likely have been a much longer one.
14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, “Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and tomorrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet.” And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.
Fifty cubits is about seventy-five feet.
He had every intention of hanging Mordecai in the morning and partying in the afternoon. But God had other plans.