Esther
Summary
Esther Chapter 6 marks a dramatic and ironic turning point. Unable to sleep, King Xerxes ordered the royal chronicles to be read, which reminded him of Mordecai’s role in uncovering an assassination plot. Just as Haman arrived to request Mordecai’s execution, the king asked him how to honour a man who truly pleases the king. Thinking the honour was for himself, Haman suggested a lavish public parade. In a spectacular reversal, the king commanded Haman to perform these very honours for Mordecai. Haman was forced to lead his enemy through the city in royal splendour.
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.
It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the entrance, who had plotted to assassinate King Xerxes.
"What honour and recognition has Mordecai received for this?" the king asked. "Nothing has been done for him," his attendants replied.
The king said, "Who is in the court?" Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows he had prepared.
His attendants answered, "Haman is standing in the court." "Bring him in," the king commanded.
When Haman entered, the king asked him, "What should be done for the man the king delights to honour?" Now Haman thought to himself, "Whom would the king delight to honour more than me?"
So he answered the king, "For the man the king delights to honour,"
"let them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head."
"Then let the robe and the horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them dress the man the king delights to honour and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, 'This is what is done for the man the king delights to honour!'"
"Go at once," the king commanded Haman. "Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended."
So Haman got the robe and the horse. He dressed Mordecai and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, "This is what is done for the man the king delights to honour!"
Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home with his head covered in grief.
He told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened. His advisors and his wife said to him, "Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has begun, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him. You will surely fall before him."
While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.