Esther-Three Clashing Cymbals

By Mary Vee
Esther 7

From Esther's, Xerxes, and Haman's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Esther. I guess I'll start today's story. I invited the king, who is my husband, to a banquet. He is a smart man. At yesterday's banquet he could tell I wanted to tell him something. He asked me what I wanted, but I couldn't. Not yet. I felt so nervous.

My uncle and guardian, Mordecai asked me to speak with the king about Haman's plan to kill all the Jews in the twelfth month. No one could simply ask the king anything. Special permission was required. 

I thought the comfortable setting of a banquet in his honor would help ease my nervousness. It has, at least a little. Today's banquet is on a grander scale than yesterday's. Today is the day I'll tell the king of Haman's evil plan. 

Oh, here they come. I bowed. "Your highness."

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My name is Xerxes, king of the Babylonian empire. I am so happy. My queen, Esther, has invited me to a fine banquet held in my honor. She also invited the man I appointed as second highest in the kingdom, Haman. What an amazing woman. She has performed more as a queen than I expected, fulfilling her roll more than Vashti, the last queen, ever did.

The guards have returned with Haman. Just in time, too. "Haman. Come. We will walk to the banquet together."

This is going to be a wonderful evening. I can tell.

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My name is Haman, second in authority in all of Babylon. The queen invited me to a second banquet as the king and I finished our meal yesterday. At the time, elation best described my feelings. Wouldn't you be excited to be invited to a banquet with the king and queen for the second day in a row? Since then everything that could go wrong...has. 

I ordered gallows built for Mordecai, they still aren't finished. I visited the king to ask permission to hang Mordecai and ended up having to honor Mordecai throughout the city streets. Mordecai is a Jew, an honored man, and I had a decree to kill all the Jews published. When the king figures it out...I'm a dead man.

Maybe this banquet is the best thing that could have happened to me. I'll have a friendly conversation, say nice things to the king and the queen then hope beyond all hope that I please him. At least enough to save my life.

Before I had a chance to plan what to do with my wife and advisors, the king's guards came to my home and escorted me to the palace. I'm so nervous. I hope I make a good impression on them both.

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My name is Xerxes. My stomach is full. The foods Esther chose for this banquet couldn't have been any better prepared. I patted my stomach and pushed back from the table. Esther ordered my glass to be filled with wine. She ordered the same for Haman.

I looked at her. Dressed in a beautiful gown, a warm smile, and so gracious. How did I become such a fortunate one? I need to give her something in return. "Esther, my queen, what can I give you. Whatever you want you may have. Please. Tell me. What would you like. Even up to half of the kingdom, it will be granted."

I waited for her answer.


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 Esther give this banquet?
2. Why was Xerxes so happy?
3. What was Haman so nervous about?
4. What pleased the king?
5. What did the king ask Esther?



As a reminder, Haman dislikes Mordecai because Mordecai the Jew feels he should only bow down to the living God. Haman wants Mordecai to bow down to him.