When we left off in Part 1…
Following the first feast, Haman left and when
he saw Mordecai standing in the king’s gate his anger overflowed. Once home, Haman’s family and advisors told him he should build gallows and get permission from the king to hang Mordecai.
While Haman was doing all that…The king could not sleep after the first feast. So, he asked for the book of Chronicles of the Kingdom be read to him in the hopes that it would put him to sleep! One of the things that was read to him was how Mordecai had saved the king’s life from the assassination plot of the chamberlains. Had Mordecai ever been rewarded? “No,” he was told.
At that very moment, who appears in the courtyard? Haman! Haman came to ask permission to kill Mordecai, but before Haman has a chance to ask, the King asks Haman, “What should be done to whom the King wishes to honor?”
Haman was certain this question was about him, replied, “Bring a royal horse and royal garment, dress the man and lead him on horseback throughout the town, proclaiming, “This is done for the man whom the King wishes to honor!””
The king ordered Haman to go and do it for — Mordecai ! Haman, of course, had no choice but to obey the King and parade Mordecai around the next day. After that humiliating task which angered him even more, Haman joined the king and Esther for the second feast.
At the second feast Queen Esther is asked by the king, “What is your request?” Esther tells him her people have been sold to be annihilated, including herself, a Jew. “Who is behind all this?” Esther points to Haman and the King becomes extremely angry.
The king misinterprets Haman’s pleading with Esther as an attempt at adultery. When the king is told that Haman built gallows for Mordecai, the king orders Haman hung on the gallows (probably he was impaled on a long pointed piece of wood anchored in the ground and left there).
The king gave Haman’s estate to Esther and Mordecai was appointed prime minister.
But the decree to kill all of the Jews was still in effect. The king said he could not go back on his word, but the king did issue a new decree saying the Jews could defend themselves. So on the 13th day of Adar battles took place across the Persian Empire. All ten of Haman’s sons were killed. The king granted an additional day, Adar 14, for the Jews to defend themselves in Shushan.
And ever since Jewish people celebrate Purim with a fast on the 13th of Adar… then a feast on the 14th.
Conspiracy… intrigue… murder plots… one villain and two heroes.
Tomorrow we will take a look at the practical takeaways from the Book of Esther. I promise.
May God bless you today as you are a blessing to Him.
–Chris