Esther 5 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study
Esther 5 Short Summary:
In Esther 5, Esther appeared before King Ahasuerus to counter Haman’s plot to kill her people. Before stating her intentions, she invited the king and Haman to two private feasts. After leaving the first feast, Haman was disrespected again by Mordecai, and he became furious. Together with his wife and friends, Haman put together a plan to hang Mordecai the next day.
Esther 5 Bible Study
WHEN:
538 BC – Cyrus the Great of Persia frees the Jews from their Babylonian captivity.
516 BC – The rebuilding of the Temple is completed in Jerusalem.
483 BC – The story of Esther begins in the 3rd year of Ahasuerus’ reign.
479 BC – Esther becomes queen of Persia.
457 BC – Ezra arrives in Jerusalem.
444 BC – Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem.
KEY CHARACTERS:
King Ahasuerus – Also known as Xerxes. Reigned as king of Persia from 486-464 B.C.
Esther – A young Jewish woman who was chosen by Ahasuerus to become queen of Persia. She was an orphan who was raised by her cousin Mordecai.
Mordecai – A Jew who lived in Susa. He raised Esther after her parents died.
Haman – An Agagite. He was a vengeful man who King Ahasuerus elevated to high authority.
Zeresh – Haman’s wife.
WHERE:
Susa – The capital of the Persian Empire. The location of the palace of Ahasuerus.
OUTLINE:
ESTHER APPEARS BEFORE AHASUERUS (5:1-8):
After 3 days of fasting and prayer, Esther put on her royal robes and went to the king’s quarters, unsure of how she would be received.
To her relief, the king was happy to see her, and he extended his gold scepter to her.
He said, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you even to half of my kingdom” (5:3).
Instead of stating her request immediately, she asked the king if he and Haman would attend a private feast with her.
The king accepted and summoned Haman.
After they had eaten, the king asked Esther again, “What is your wish? It shall be granted you.”
Esther asked the king and Haman to attend another feast the next day, at which time she would make her request known.
The king and Haman both agreed.
HAMAN MAKES PREPARATIONS TO KILL MORDECAI (5:9-14):
Haman left the feast very pleased with the fact that he was receiving private invitations to dine with the king and queen.
But on his way out of the palace, his mood was spoiled when he walked by Mordecai who declined to honor him.
When Haman saw that Mordecai refused to respect him and had no fear of him, Haman was “filled with wrath” (5:9).
Haman gathered his wife and his friends at his home and bragged to them about his money, his sons, his work promotions, and his private invitations to dine at the palace, yet he couldn’t get over being disrespected by Mordecai.
His wife and his friends suggested he build a gallows on which to hang Mordecai and then ask the king for permission to kill him in the morning.
Haman probably didn’t doubt he could get the king’s permission since he was clearly in the king and queen’s good favor (or so he thought).
Haman had a gallows of 50 cubits built (75 ft or 22.7 meters).
APPLICATION
The text of Esther 4 and 5 seem to suggest our prayers can affect the temperament of a person’s heart.
Esther, Mordecai, and the Jews fasted and prayed for Ahasuerus to welcome Esther into his throne room so she could have a chance to save the Jews, and God answered that prayer positively.
The specifics of how God answers those prayers and works in a person’s heart is somewhat of a mystery to us, but the Bible suggests it really happens, prayer is more than just wishful thinking.
In light of this text, and others that suggest the same thing, don’t stop praying for those whose hearts need to change. God really hears those prayers and has real power to answer them.
