1  NOW it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, [ She is going to look the part of a queen. ] and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.

2  And it was so, [ At the end of their fasting it was time for Ester to determine her outcome, life or death by going before the king. ] when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: [ A little temple symbolism here. When we stand in the house of God, his house does he find us worthy to be there? ] and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre [ A rod or staff which represented authority. CAn you imagine how her heart would have been beating so profoundly, she did not know how this was going to . She got the exception and not the rule. The King granted her the royal sceptre granting her, her life. She had found favor in his eyes. ] that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. [ With her hands trembling she came closer and touched the top of the sceptre. ]

3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? [ She had came dressed as the queen, fully looking the part in every way. She may have underestimated her standing with the King, or God interceeded. Either way she stood as the Queen in her glory. ] and what is thy request? [ The King responds what can I do for you? ] it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom. [ That is an extremely big offer for a King who is so self absorbed. ]

4 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, [ She lets the King make the decision. She yields back respecting his authority. Leaving him still in control. ] let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him. [ Can you imagine the King being taken back by the thought that she was willing to risk her life to invite him to a party. ]

5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

6 ¶ And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? [ The King asked Ester again, what it it that you really want, as surely it is not just to throw a party. ] and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;

8  If I have found favour in the sight of the king, [ In a symbolic sense "Am I worthy to receive the miracel that I am asking for?" ] and if it please the king to grant my petition, [ Symbolically "Is it God's will that I receive my request." ] and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, [ So she responds again the same as she did on the initial request. Come again tomorrow to another party that I will put together for both you and Haman. A second day for me to honor you. ] and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.

9 ¶ Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: [ Well given what we know about Haman he would indeed be joyful, he would be elated that all of the attention was on him. ] but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, [ When Mordecai would not bow or even move for Haman he was forced to come down from his high place. He lost his standing. First he was in the presence of the King and Queen, dining with them and he leaves and then is not respected by the lowly people, what an offense. ] he was full of indignation against Mordecai. [ He became so full of jealousy that it totally wrecked his day. ]

10  Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: [ Kind of thinking that I know what is coming for you on the 13th so I will hold my peace for now, maybe to not blow the cover that he is behind the decree that the King put forth. ] and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.

11  And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, [ He is so sold on himself, fully absorbed in who he is, and wants everyone to know it. ] and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.

13  Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate. [ Oh life is so good for me on the one hand, and then I see Mordecai and he does not respect all that I am, and that just brings me down. Doesn't your heart just break for the guy? ]

14 ¶ Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king [ Picks up in verse 7 of Ester 6. ] that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.