Esther | Chapter Summaries + Study QuestionsНамуна

ESTHER 7

ESTHER REVEALS HER IDENTITY + ADVOCATES FOR HER PEOPLE

After Mordecai’s public celebration, Haman is brought to the second night of feasts with Esther and King Xerxes. During the feast, King Xerxes asks Esther what she desires and promises to give her as much as half of the kingdom. Esther reveals her Israelite heritage and boldly asks for the lives of her people to be spared. Esther exposes Haman’s corrupt plan to annihilate the Israelites, and King Xerxes is enraged.

Removing himself from the situation momentarily, King Xerxes steps out to the palace garden. Haman pleads for mercy with Queen Esther, begging for his life. Just as King Xerxes walks back into the palace, Haman drunkenly falls upon Esther, which King Xerxes sees as an attack or assault.

Because of his wicked schemes against the Israelites and disrespect towards Esther, Haman is sentenced to be killed by King Xerxes. In an ironic turn of events, Haman is impaled on the very gallows he built with the intention to have Mordecai killed.

STUDY QUESTIONS

In Esther 7:1–6, Esther revealed her identity and exposed Haman’s wicked plan. How did the king respond to this news? What was ironic about Haman’s death?