Study notes

Esther 7

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.

7:3–4

  • my life...and the lives of my people: The statement that someone wanted to kill the queen and her family likely surprised and shocked the king.

  • my people and I have been sold: Esther carefully mentioned the large sum Haman paid the king to approve the decree (Esther 3:8–11). She also used the exact words from Haman’s decree, stating its purpose was to destroy, kill, and annihilate (see Esther 3:13).

  • If we had merely been sold as menservants and maidservants, I would have remained silent: Esther humbly explained her request was due to the severe threat against her and her people.

7:5

where is the one who would devise such a scheme?: The king could hardly believe what he heard and could not imagine someone attempting this terrible act. He did not ask for details about Esther’s accusations, assuming they were all true (compare Esther 3:10).

7:6–7

  • Esther identified wicked Haman as the enemy.

  • Haman stood in terror: The queen's accusation and the king's anger made Haman's fate clear.

7:8

  • Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining: This was a major mistake because no one should touch the queen or be on the same couch with her.

  • Would he actually assault the queen while I am in the palace?: This exaggerated rhetorical question suggests Haman has the worst possible motives.

7:9

  • He had it built for Mordecai: Harbona, one of the king’s seven eunuchs (Esther 1:10), did not seem to be Haman's friend and already knew about Haman’s plot.

  • Hang him on it!: This major reversal of fortunes shows God's guiding hand. For more on impalement, see study note on Esther 2:23.

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