By Mary Vee
Esther 6
From Xerxes' Journal
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| Photo Courtesy |
Last night I couldn't sleep at all. I asked the scribe to bring the scrolls with the chronicle of events in the land to entertain me.
He read for some time, several hours in fact, while I lay awake until he happened to mention an event about a man who had reported the plans for an assassination.
Apparently, the man had never been rewarded. This was the kind of behavior I wanted to continue. Good. Upright.
When I discovered he hadn't been rewarded, I was too tired to come up with a something suitable for him. It should be something big. Something that would let the entire kingdom know how much the king appreciates and honors those who are loyal to the kingdom.
There was only one man who had a mind to think of the richest rewards. He was a bit arrogant, but smart. And when the servant told me he was the only one in the court at the time I was quite pleased.
Haman appeared at the door and I immediately gave him approval to approach. No need for ceremony. "Haman," I said. "Come here. I have a question."
He approached the throne. A smile had spread across his face. Something made him very happy. I didn't know what it was, and at this moment didn't care. I wanted his advice. "So, Haman, what should be done for the man the king delights to honor?"
The smile on Haman's face grew wider. His eyes drifted to the side and up. There was a great plan working in his mind and I couldn't wait to hear what it was. "So? What do you suggest?"
Haman bowed and said, "For the man the king delights to honor, have 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 horse be entrusted to one of the king's most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, 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 honor!'"
I looked at him amazed at his creativity. Only someone as pompous as Haman could think of such a reward. I liked it. I liked it a lot. He was a genius. Of course the most entrusted noble prince would have to be him. Yes. This was the perfect way to reward the one who saved my life.
I smiled, I think I even laughed. "Well done, Haman. Go at once. Get the robe and the horses and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. And be sure to not neglect anything you have recommended."
Unfortunately the story has much more to tell...come back to read what happens next.
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sources: New International Version, New King James Version
1. Why did the king want to reward Mordecai?
2. Who did he ask for help to think of the best reward?
3. Who did Haman think was getting the reward?
4. Since he thought that, what reward did Haman suggest?
5. What did the king think about Haman?
6. What did the king think about Haman's idea?
2. Who did he ask for help to think of the best reward?
3. Who did Haman think was getting the reward?
4. Since he thought that, what reward did Haman suggest?
5. What did the king think about Haman?
6. What did the king think about Haman's idea?
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