Post by Lynnette Easter
And we are back once again, so let’s just jump right into the story at Esther 5:
It was the third day and Esther’s fasting had come to an end, so she got up and dressed herself in her royal robes. She walked into the middle court inside of the palace in front of where King Xerxes was seated. As The King sat on his throne inside of his hall facing towards the entrance of the palace, he saw Queen Esther standing in the court.
The sight of Queen Esther pleased King Xerxes, so he extended to her the golden scepter which he was holding. Queen Esther walked towards The King and touched the tip of the scepter. At that moment, King Xerxes asked her what she wanted and without awaiting for her response, King Xerxes told Esther that he would give her up to half of the kingdom. Esther responded and told The King that if it made him happy, she prepare a banquet for him and would like for both he and Haman to attend that very day.
Immediately, King Xerxes ordered for Haman to be brought out so the both of them could attend the banquet Esther had awaiting for them. While King Xerxes was drinking wine at the banquet, he asked Queen Esther what her petition was; he informed her that he would grant to her whatever she wanted. The King then asked Queen Esther what her requests were and told her once again that she could have up to half of the kingdom.
Queen Esther told King Xerxes that if it pleased him, she would like to invite both he and Haman to a banquet that she prepared for them on the following day. Esther then told Xerxes that at that time, she would answer his questions.
Haman, having left the banquet happy and feeling good, approached Mordecai, who was seated at the king’s gate, and Haman became angry because Mordecai did not bow down nor show any fear in his presence. Haman contained himself until he got home, upon arriving at home, he called for his wife and friends then spoke to them about his riches. Haman spoke to them about his promotion the king had given him along with the many people he ruled over.
Haman then informed them that he was the only person invited by Queen Esther to join the king at the banquet he had just left and would be attending another one the following day. Haman then stated that all of those things were meaningless to him as long as Mordecai remained seated at King Xerxes gate.
Upon hearing this, Haman’s wife and friends told him to make a gallows for Mordecai then speak to the king the following day about hanging Mordecai from it and go happily to the banquet. Mordecai was happy with the solution he had just heard and ordered the making of the gallows…
Next month we will see how this plays out but before closing out, I must interject.
As a young child I participated in a church event where we dressed up as our favorite Biblical character and held a parade throughout the neighborhood. Who did I go as? None other than Queen Esther.
I loved the fact that I got to portray a queen, even if it were just for a day. As I grew older, I came to the realization that it was more than just power; her brazened attitude and beauty that caused me to admire Queen Esther.
It included her husband, King Xerxes, who held Queen Esther’s heart in his hands yet he didn’t abuse his authority nor power. Instead, he lovingly and carefully handled Esther’s heart not because it was fragile, but because his love for her caused him to understood her value to both he and his kingdom.
He saw her and was pleased, while desiring to know the reason behind her coming to see him and on the spot inquiry of his time, which he gave unselfishly. He acknowledged the fact that she wanted something and made her aware that it was okay when he asked her about it twice and suggested both times what he could do to make her happy.
For me, it’s the little things in life that show a bigger picture and it was King Xerxes’ overall love and adoration for Queen Esther exhibited by his words which were also re-enforced by both his actions and deeds that sealed my love for this real life love story.
What are you thoughts on the love between Queen Esther and King Xerxes?
