Esther 5:5
"Hurry," commanded the king, "and bring Haman, so we can do as Esther has requested." So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
“Hurry,” commanded the king,
The urgency in the king's command reflects the importance he places on Esther's request. In the Persian court, the king's word was law, and his commands were executed promptly. This urgency may also indicate the king's curiosity or eagerness to please Esther, whom he favored. The king's authority and the swift execution of his orders are consistent with the absolute power Persian monarchs wielded, as seen in other parts of the Book of Esther and historical records of Persian rule.

“and bring Haman,
Haman, the antagonist in the story, holds the position of prime minister, second only to the king. His inclusion in the banquet is significant, as it sets the stage for the unfolding of Esther's plan to reveal his plot against the Jews. Haman's presence is crucial for the narrative's development, highlighting the tension between him and Esther. This moment foreshadows the eventual downfall of Haman, a theme of divine justice and reversal found throughout the book.

so we can do as Esther has requested.”
Esther's request to host a banquet is part of her strategic plan to save her people. Her approach demonstrates wisdom and patience, as she carefully sets the stage to reveal Haman's plot. This phrase underscores Esther's influence and the favor she has found with the king, which is pivotal for the deliverance of the Jewish people. Esther's actions can be seen as a type of intercession, drawing parallels to the mediating role of Christ.

So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
The banquet is a central event in the narrative, symbolizing Esther's courage and the unfolding of God's providence. Banquets were significant in Persian culture, often used for political and social purposes. Esther's preparation of the banquet shows her active role in God's plan, reflecting themes of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. The setting of the banquet also connects to other biblical feasts, which often serve as moments of revelation and turning points in God's redemptive history.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I)
The Persian king who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Cush. He is known for his opulence and the vastness of his empire.

2. Esther
A Jewish queen of Persia, known for her beauty and bravery. She is the heroine of the Book of Esther, who risks her life to save her people from annihilation.

3. Haman
The antagonist in the Book of Esther, a high-ranking official in the Persian Empire who plots to destroy the Jews.

4. The Banquet
A strategic event prepared by Esther to reveal her request to the king and to expose Haman's plot against her people.

5. Susa (Shushan)
The capital of the Persian Empire where the events of the Book of Esther take place.
Teaching Points
Divine Timing and Courage
Esther's approach to the king demonstrates the importance of waiting for God's timing and acting with courage. Believers are encouraged to seek God's guidance and act boldly when the time is right.

The Power of Influence
Esther's influence over the king shows the impact one person can have when positioned by God. Christians are reminded of their potential to influence others for God's purposes.

Strategic Planning in Faith
Esther's preparation of the banquet illustrates the need for strategic planning and wisdom in addressing challenges. Believers should combine faith with thoughtful action.

God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs
The unfolding events in Esther's account highlight God's sovereignty. Christians can trust that God is in control, even when circumstances seem dire.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Esther 5:5 demonstrate the importance of timing and preparation in fulfilling God's purposes?

2. In what ways can Esther's courage in approaching the king inspire us to take bold steps in our own lives?

3. How does the account of Esther illustrate the concept of divine sovereignty, and how can this understanding impact our daily decisions?

4. What lessons can we learn from Esther's strategic approach to dealing with Haman, and how can we apply these lessons in our interactions with others?

5. How can the events in Esther 5:5 encourage us to trust in God's plan, even when we face opposition or uncertainty?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 21:1
This verse speaks to the sovereignty of God over the hearts of kings, illustrating how God can direct the king's heart to fulfill His purposes, as seen in Esther's account.

Romans 8:28
This passage highlights how God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, which is evident in how Esther's actions lead to the deliverance of the Jewish people.

Daniel 2:21
This verse emphasizes God's control over times and seasons and His ability to set up and remove kings, reflecting His ultimate authority over the events in Esther.
Human and Divine SovereigntyW. Clarkson Esther 5:1-8
A Conquest by Feminine BeautyT. De Witt Talmage.Esther 5:1-14
A Queen on the Vanity of JewelleryEsther 5:1-14
Confidence in PrayerT. McEwan.Esther 5:1-14
Crisis HelpW. M. Taylor, D. D.Esther 5:1-14
Directions for PrayerW. Burrows, B. A.Esther 5:1-14
Esther's NoblenessW. F. Adeney, M. A.Esther 5:1-14
God Grants RequestsT. McCrie.Esther 5:1-14
Large OffersA. B. Davidson, D. D.Esther 5:1-14
Performance Must Follow ResolveG. Lawson.Esther 5:1-14
Prayer Should be DefiniteEsther 5:1-14
The Gifts of the Heavenly KingJ. Hughes.Esther 5:1-14
The Glory of IntercessionD. J. Burrell, D. D.Esther 5:1-14
The Golden SceptreA. Raleigh, D. D.Esther 5:1-14
The Royalty of FaithW. Burrows, B. A.Esther 5:1-14
The Sight of a FaceA. Raleigh, D. D.Esther 5:1-14
There is Nothing StationaryT. McEwan.Esther 5:1-14
Touching the SceptreW. M. Statham.Esther 5:1-14
Prudence Versus GuileW. Dinwiddie Esther 5:4-14
People
Esther, Haman, Mordecai, Zeresh
Places
Susa
Topics
Asks, Banquet, Bring, Cause, Desires, Dinner, Esther, Feast, Haman, Haste, Hasten, Prepared, Quickly, Ready
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Esther 5:4-5

     4410   banquets

Library
Of the Subject to whom to the Key of Church Priviledge, Power, or Liberty is Given.
THIS key is given to the Brethren of the Church: for so saith the Apostle, in Gal. 5. 13. (in the place quoted and opened before) Brethren, you have been called to liberty. And indeed, as it is the eu einai, euexi'a, & eupraxi'a of a Commonwealth, the right and due establishment and ballancing of the liberties or priviledges of the people (which is in a true sense, may be called a power) and the authority of the Magistrate: so it is the safety of Church estate, the right and due settling and ordering
John Cotton—The Keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven, and Power Thereof

Walking with God
Genesis 5:24 -- "And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." Various are the pleas and arguments which men of corrupt minds frequently urge against yielding obedience to the just and holy commands of God. But, perhaps, one of the most common objections that they make is this, that our Lord's commands are not practicable, because contrary to flesh and blood; and consequently, that he is an hard master, reaping where he has not sown, and gathering where he has not strewed'. These
George Whitefield—Selected Sermons of George Whitefield

The Life of the Blessed in Heaven.
Having examined the glorious gifts with which the risen body is clothed, and seen that it perfects the soul in all her operations; understanding, moreover, that the glorified senses are to contribute their share to the happiness of man--we shall now consider the happy life of the blessed in heaven, including the resurrection. But, remember, it is not a new life that is now to occupy our thoughts. It is a continuation of the same life that was begun the moment the vision of God flashed upon the soul.
F. J. Boudreaux—The Happiness of Heaven

Dining with a Pharisee. Sabbath Healing and Three Lessons Suggested by the Event.
(Probably Peræa.) ^C Luke XIV. 1-24. ^c 1 And it came to pass, when he went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on a sabbath to eat bread, that they were watching him. [The Pharisees were an unorganized party, hence their rulers were such not by office, but by influence. Those who were members of the Sanhedrin, or who were distinguished among the rabbis, might fitly be spoken of as rulers among them. The context favors the idea that Jesus was invited for the purpose of being
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom
Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 Here is high preferment for the saints. They shall be advanced to a kingdom. There are some who, aspiring after earthly greatness, talk of a temporal reign here, but then God's church on earth would not be militant but triumphant. But sure it is the saints shall reign in a glorious manner: Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.' A kingdom is held the acme and top of all worldly felicity, and this honour have all the saints'; so says our Saviour, Theirs is the
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Esther
The spirit of the book of Esther is anything but attractive. It is never quoted or referred to by Jesus or His apostles, and it is a satisfaction to think that in very early times, and even among Jewish scholars, its right to a place in the canon was hotly contested. Its aggressive fanaticism and fierce hatred of all that lay outside of Judaism were felt by the finer spirits to be false to the more generous instincts that lay at the heart of the Hebrew religion; but by virtue of its very intensity
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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