Study notes

Esther 6

Introducing EstherWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

5:1–8:2 Section

Esther made a wise and clever plan to stop Haman’s orders. She didn’t tell Xerxes right away what she wanted. She invited Xerxes and Haman to two banquets. This made Haman feel proud and special.

He boasted to his wife and friends about being favoured by Xerxes and Esther. This made him bold. He made a plan to kill Mordecai right away. He didn’t want to wait until the 12th month.

But Haman was an example of what Proverbs 11:27 described. Bad things happened to him for planning to do evil. Instead of putting Mordecai to death, Haman had to honour Mordecai in front of others. Instead of being favoured by Esther, Haman was accused by her. Instead of having a good time at the second banquet, Haman made Xerxes very angry.

Haman’s plan to kill Mordecai was carried out against himself. Then Xerxes gave Mordecai the ring with the king’s royal mark or seal. This meant that Xerxes trusted Mordecai as an official and advisor.

6:1

  • sleep escaped the king: God was protecting Esther and Mordecai.

  • the Book of Records, the Chronicles: Ancient kings kept records of their rule.

6:2

Fortunately, the king's servant opened the royal records to the page where Mordecai revealed the plot (Esther 2:21–23).

6:3

What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this act?: Persian kings were known for being generous to their supporters, so the king was likely surprised that nothing had been done.

6:4–6

As the king thought about how to honor Mordecai, Haman came to request Mordecai's death. Ironically, the king asked Haman for advice on how to reward Mordecai.

6:7–9

Haman loved public praise and recognition. He wanted to be honored like a king, to wear royal clothes, and to ride the king’s horse. In short, he wanted to be king for a day. Haman believed another of the king’s top officials would honor him through the streets of Susa. Instead, Haman had to honor Mordecai in that role (Esther 6:10).

6:10–12

do just as you proposed...to Mordecai the Jew: Haman, completely shocked by this reversal, could only obey the king's command in full detail.

6:13

Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has begun, is Jewish, you will not prevail against him: Haman’s wife and friends saw this as more than coincidences. The text does not explain why Zeresh and the advisers believed Mordecai’s Jewish heritage would cause Haman’s plans to fail.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources