Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. New Living Translation That 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. English Standard Version On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. Berean Standard Bible That night sleep escaped the king; so he ordered the Book of Records, the Chronicles, to be brought in and read to him. King James Bible On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. New King James Version That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. New American Standard Bible During that night the king could not sleep, so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. NASB 1995 During that night the king could not sleep so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. NASB 1977 During that night the king could not sleep so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. Legacy Standard Bible During that night, sleep had fled from the king, so he said for them to bring the book of memoranda, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. Amplified Bible On that night the king could not sleep; so he ordered that the book of records and memorable deeds, the chronicles, be brought, and they were read before the king. Christian Standard Bible That night sleep escaped the king, so he ordered the book recording daily events to be brought and read to the king. Holman Christian Standard Bible That night sleep escaped the king, so he ordered the book recording daily events to be brought and read to the king. American Standard Version On that night could not the king sleep; and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king. Contemporary English Version That night the king could not sleep, and he had a servant read him the records of what had happened since he had been king. English Revised Version On that night could not the king sleep; and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king. GOD'S WORD® Translation That night the king could not sleep. So he told [a servant] to bring the official daily records, and they were read to the king. Good News Translation That same night the king could not get to sleep, so he had the official records of the empire brought and read to him. International Standard Version That night the king could not sleep, so he gave instructions to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read to the king. Majority Standard Bible That night sleep escaped the king; so he ordered the Book of Records, the Chronicles, to be brought in and read to him. NET Bible Throughout that night the king was unable to sleep, so he asked for the book containing the historical records to be brought. As the records were being read in the king's presence, New Heart English Bible On 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. Webster's Bible Translation In that night the king could not sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. World English Bible On 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionOn that night the sleep of the king has fled away, and he commands to bring in the scroll of memorials of the chronicles, and they are read before the king, Young's Literal Translation On that night hath the sleep of the king fled away, and he saith to bring in the book of memorials of the Chronicles, and they are read before the king, Smith's Literal Translation In that night the king's sleep fled away, and he will say to bring in the book of memorials of the words of the days; and they will be read before the king. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThat night the king passed without sleep, and he commanded the histories and chronicles of former times to be brought him. And when they were reading them before him, Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible That night the king, unable to sleep, asked that the chronicle of notable events be brought in. While this was being read to him, New Revised Standard Version On that night the king could not sleep, and he gave orders to bring the book of records, the annals, and they were read to the king. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleON that night the king could not sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read be fore the king. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And in that night the sleep of the King fled away, and he said to bring the Scroll of the Records of the Words of Days, and the Readers were reading before the King. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917On that night could not the king sleep; and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king. Brenton Septuagint Translation But the Lord removed sleep from the king that night: and he told his servant to bring in the books, the registers of daily events, to read to him. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Mordecai is Honored1That night sleep escaped the king; so he ordered the Book of Records, the Chronicles, to be brought in and read to him. 2And there it was found recorded that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the king’s entrance, when they had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.… Cross References Daniel 2:1 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams that troubled his spirit, and sleep escaped him. Genesis 41:1-8 After two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing beside the Nile, / when seven cows, sleek and well-fed, came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds. / After them, seven other cows, sickly and thin, came up from the Nile and stood beside the well-fed cows on the bank of the river. ... 1 Samuel 26:12 So David took the spear and water jug by Saul’s head, and they departed. No one saw them or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up; they all remained asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them. Psalm 77:4 You have kept my eyes from closing; I am too troubled to speak. Psalm 127:2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved. Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases. Ecclesiastes 5:12 The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep. Daniel 6:18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No entertainment was brought before him, and sleep fled from him. Matthew 27:19 While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.” Acts 12:6-7 On the night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, with sentries standing guard at the entrance to the prison. / Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists. Acts 16:25-26 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. / Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose. Romans 8:28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. 2 Corinthians 2:12-13 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and a door stood open for me in the Lord, / I had no peace in my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia. Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. / And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Hebrews 1:14 Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? Treasury of Scripture On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. that night. Esther 5:8 Genesis 22:14 1 Samuel 23:26,27 could not the king sleep. Daniel 2:1 Daniel 6:18 the book of records. Esther 2:23 Malachi 3:16 Jump to Previous Book Books Chronicles Commanded Couldn't Deeds Fled Memorable Memorials Night Order Ordered Orders Read Reading Record Records Reign Sleep UnableJump to Next Book Books Chronicles Commanded Couldn't Deeds Fled Memorable Memorials Night Order Ordered Orders Read Reading Record Records Reign Sleep UnableEsther 6 1. Xerxes, reading of the good service done by Mordecai, takes care for his reward.4. Haman, coming to ask that Mordecai might be hanged, 10. gives counsel that he might do him honor. 12. Complaining of this, his friends tell him of his final destiny. That night sleep escaped the king; This phrase highlights a pivotal moment in the narrative of Esther. The king referred to is Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes I, who ruled the Persian Empire from 486 to 465 BC. The timing is significant, as it occurs the night before Haman plans to execute Mordecai. The inability to sleep can be seen as divine intervention, a common theme in Scripture where God orchestrates events for His purposes (e.g., Genesis 41:1-8, Daniel 2:1). This moment sets the stage for the reversal of fortunes for Mordecai and the Jewish people. so he ordered the Book of Records, the Chronicles, to be brought in and read to him. Persons / Places / Events 1. King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I)The Persian king who ruled over 127 provinces from India to Cush. His sleepless night becomes a pivotal moment in the account of Esther. 2. The Book of the Chronicles A record of the king's reign, which included significant events and deeds. It was read to the king during his sleepless night. 3. Mordecai Though not directly mentioned in this verse, Mordecai's earlier act of loyalty is recorded in the chronicles, setting the stage for his eventual honor. 4. Susa (Shushan) The capital of the Persian Empire where these events took place. 5. Divine Providence The unseen hand of God orchestrating events, as seen in the king's insomnia leading to the reading of the chronicles. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in the MundaneEven seemingly trivial events, like a sleepless night, can be used by God to fulfill His purposes. Trust that God is at work in the details of our lives. The Power of Remembrance The chronicles served as a reminder of past deeds. Reflecting on God's past faithfulness can encourage us in present circumstances. Divine Timing God's timing is perfect. Mordecai's reward came at the exact right moment, reminding us to be patient and trust in God's timing for our lives. Faithfulness in Obscurity Mordecai's earlier act of loyalty was initially overlooked but later rewarded. Our faithfulness, even when unnoticed, is seen by God and will be honored in His time. The Role of Restlessness Sometimes, God uses restlessness to draw our attention to His plans. Be attentive to what God might be revealing during times of discomfort or sleeplessness. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Esther 6Esther 6:1—Is there any historical evidence outside the Bible that Persian kings relied on royal chronicles to make important decisions, or is this narrative purely literary? Malachi 3:16–18 – Is there archeological or historical evidence of a recorded “book of remembrance,” and does it conflict with other biblical texts? Esther 9:28: How do we reconcile the institution of Purim with the absence of divine mention or direct intervention throughout the entire story of Esther? Esther 10:2 – Why aren’t the “book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia” referenced by other sources if it so prominently features Mordecai? VI. (1) Could not the king sleep.--Literally, the king's sleep fled away. Here, in the most striking way in the whole book, the workings of God's providence on behalf of His people are shown. "God Himself is here, though His name be absent." The king's sleepless night falls after the day when Haman has resolved to ask on the morrow for Mordecai's execution, a foretaste of the richer vengeance he hopes to wreak on the whole nation of the Jews. It is by a mere chance, one would say, looking at the matter simply in its human aspect, that the king should call for the book of the royal chronicles, and not for music. It was by a mere chance too. it might seem, that the reader should happen to light upon the record of Mordecai's services; and yet when all these apparent accidents are wrought up into the coincidence they make, how completely is the providence visible, the power that will use men as the instruments of its work, whether they know it, or know it not, whether they be willing or unwilling, whether the glory of God is to be manifested in and by and through them, or manifested on them only. They were read before the king.--Canon Rawlinson remarks that there is reason to think that the Persian kings were in most cases unable to read. Verse 1. - The book of records of the chronicles. Compare Esther 2:23, where the title is given more briefly, as "the book of the chronicles." See also Esther 10:2. The character of the book has been already explained (see comment on Esther 2:23). They were read. Either because the king could not read himself ('Ancient Monarchies,' vol. 4. p. 184), or because the sound of a man's voice might (it was thought) induce drowsiness.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Thatהַה֔וּא (ha·hū) Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are night, בַּלַּ֣יְלָה (bal·lay·lāh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity sleep שְׁנַ֣ת (šə·naṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 8142: Sleep escaped נָדְדָ֖ה (nā·ḏə·ḏāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 5074: To wave to and fro, to rove, flee, to drive away the king; הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king so he ordered וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say the book סֵ֤פֶר (sê·p̄er) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5612: A missive, document, writing, book of records, הַזִּכְרֹנוֹת֙ (haz·ziḵ·rō·nō·wṯ) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2146: Memorial, remembrance the chronicles, דִּבְרֵ֣י (diḇ·rê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause to be brought in לְהָבִ֞יא (lə·hā·ḇî) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go and read נִקְרָאִ֖ים (niq·rā·’îm) Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read to לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face him. הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king Links Esther 6:1 NIVEsther 6:1 NLT Esther 6:1 ESV Esther 6:1 NASB Esther 6:1 KJV Esther 6:1 BibleApps.com Esther 6:1 Biblia Paralela Esther 6:1 Chinese Bible Esther 6:1 French Bible Esther 6:1 Catholic Bible OT History: Esther 6:1 On that night the king couldn't sleep (Est Esth. 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