Esther 6:1-13!

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Esther 6:1–13: King Xerxes unexpectedly discovers Mordecai’s role in thwarting a previous plot against his life and decides to honor him. Haman, thinking the honors are for him, advises the king to dress the man in royal robes and parade him through the city. Haman is embarrassed to learn that the honors are for Mordecai. Instead of killing Mordecai, he is forced to carry out the king’s order.


Today’s Key Verse: Esther 6:11b GNT

Mordecai got on the horse, and Haman led him through the city square, announcing to the people as they went: “See how the king rewards a man he wishes to honor!”


Read

1 That same night the king could not get to sleep, so he had the official records of the empire brought and read to him. 2 The part they read included the account of how Mordecai had uncovered a plot to assassinate the king—the plot made by Bigthana and Teresh, the two palace eunuchs who had guarded the king's rooms. 3 The king asked, “How have we honored and rewarded Mordecai for this?”

4 “Are any of my officials in the palace?” the king asked.

Now Haman had just entered the courtyard; he had come to ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on the gallows that was now ready. 5 So the servants answered, “Haman is here, waiting to see you.”

6 So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “There is someone I wish very much to honor. What should I do for this man?”

7-8 So he answered the king, “Have royal robes brought for this man—robes that you yourself wear. Have a royal ornament put on your own horse. 9 Then have one of your highest noblemen dress the man in these robes and lead him, mounted on the horse, through the city square. Have the nobleman announce as they go: ‘See how the king rewards someone he wishes to honor!’”

10 Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry and get the robes and the horse, and provide these honors for Mordecai the Jew. Do everything for him that you have suggested. You will find him sitting at the entrance of the palace.”

11 So Haman got the robes and the horse, and he put the robes on Mordecai. Mordecai got on the horse, and Haman led him through the city square, announcing to the people as they went: “See how the king rewards a man he wishes to honor!”

12 Mordecai then went back to the palace entrance while Haman hurried home, covering his face in embarrassment. 13 He told his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then she and those wise friends of his told him, “You are beginning to lose power to Mordecai. He is a Jew, and you cannot overcome him. He will certainly defeat you.”


Reflect

How does Xerxes react after discovering Mordecai’s actions (verse 3)? What is Haman about to do when the king calls him in (verse 4)? Reread verse 6. What does Haman assume when he hears the king’s question? What does Haman’s wife predict after Mordecai is honored (verse 13)? What might Haman’s mistake teach about how our character shapes our assumptions?


Pray

God of wisdom, you bend our crooked ways to your loving plan, working all things for the good of your servants. Keep away pride, make us humble, and give us strength to persevere, that we may enjoy the rewards you have prepared for us. Amen.

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