Why did King Xerxes ask, "Who is he, and where is he?" Immediate Narrative Context Esther has just revealed at the second banquet that her life and the lives of her people are in mortal danger (Esther 7:3–4). She presents the crisis in personal terms—“we have been sold, I and my people”—without yet naming the culprit. The king’s astonished inquiry is therefore the natural response of a monarch who has suddenly learned that the queen herself is under threat within his own palace walls. Historical Background Xerxes I (Ahasuerus in Hebrew) ruled the Persian Empire ca. 486–465 BC. Persian royal decrees (shown in the Persepolis Fortification Tablets) were irrevocable once sealed, explaining how Haman’s edict could imperil the Jews even after his exposure (cf. Esther 8:8). Herodotus (Histories 7.8–9) depicts Xerxes as volatile yet conscious of royal honor—a personality consistent with the shocked question of Esther 7:5. Persian Court Protocol Persian kings typically maintained strict information hierarchies; only high officials could address them directly (cf. Nehemiah 2:1–4). Esther’s request for a banquet with both the king and the prime minister positioned her to reveal the plot at a moment of maximum dramatic force. Xerxes’ question follows the expected legal protocol: before judgment, the offender’s identity and location must be formally established. The double query “Who is he, and where is he?” mirrors Persian legal phrasing for naming and locating a defendant. Rhetorical Strategy Of Esther By delaying Haman’s exposure until the second banquet, Esther accomplishes four goals: 1. Secures the king’s favor (Esther 5:3; 7:2). 2. Ensures Haman’s presence for immediate judgment. 3. Frames the accusation so the king takes personal offense. 4. Maximizes the impact of Xerxes’ spontaneous oath to protect her (“Whatever you request…” Esther 7:2). The king’s question thus serves Esther’s strategy, compelling Xerxes to commit to action before Haman can mount a defense. Character Of Xerxes Ancient sources portray Xerxes as impulsive (Herodotus 7.35). Scriptural narrative affirms this: he banishes Vashti abruptly (Esther 1:12–22) and later rewards Mordecai lavishly (Esther 6:6–11). His rapid-fire question reveals both genuine concern for Esther and the impulsive temperament that will doom Haman within minutes (Esther 7:8–10). Divine Providence Though God is never named in Esther, His sovereignty saturates the text. Xerxes’ question forms a hinge in the providential reversal motif: • Haman plotted genocide → the plotter becomes condemned. • The Jews faced annihilation → deliverance is set in motion. The king’s question triggers Haman’s downfall, illustrating Proverbs 21:1 : “The king’s heart is a watercourse in the hand of the LORD; He directs it wherever He pleases.” Covenantal Protection God’s promise to preserve Abraham’s seed (Genesis 12:3; 17:7) undergirds the episode. Xerxes’ unwitting use of covenant-protective language—“Who is he…?”—highlights the unseen hand safeguarding the Messianic line that will culminate in Christ (Galatians 3:16). Archaeological Corroboration 1. Persepolis Treasury Tablets list Marduka (Mordecai) as a royal official under Xerxes, supporting the historical plausibility of Esther’s court setting. 2. Bullae bearing the name “Ahasuerus” (Khshayarsha) use the very throne name Scripture records. 3. The discovery of the Persian royal audience hall at Susa (excavated by R. de Mecquenem) illustrates the spatial authenticity of the setting where Xerxes posed his fateful question. Literary And Theological Purpose The double question functions literarily to heighten suspense and the narrative reversal, while theologically it showcases divine justice. The plot’s exposure demonstrates the biblical theme that hidden sin will come to light (Numbers 32:23). Application For Believers 1. Bold Advocacy: Like Esther, believers may be called to speak truth even when risk is high. 2. Faith in Providence: Xerxes’ question reminds us that God orchestrates circumstances for His people’s deliverance. 3. Moral Accountability: Haman’s judgment following the king’s inquiry illustrates that evil counsel carries consequence, encouraging ethical integrity in positions of influence. Conclusion Xerxes’ startled words, “Who is he, and where is he?” capture a pivotal moment in redemptive history, where divine providence turns impending doom into deliverance, safeguarding the lineage through which the risen Christ would later secure eternal salvation. |
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