Esther 6:5,6 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

The king said, Let him come in The king thought him the fittest man he had to be made use of, both in directing and in dispensing his favour, knowing nothing of any quarrel he had with Mordecai. So Haman came in Proud of the honour done him, in being admitted into the king's bed-chamber, before he was up; for it is likely the king only wished to give orders for the honouring of Mordecai, and then he would be easy in his mind, and try to sleep. Haman, however, thinks of finding the king alone, and unengaged, and that this was the fairest opportunity he could wish for, to solicit for Mordecai's execution. And the king Whose heart was as full as his, and who, as was fit, spoke first; said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? He names no one, because he would have the more impartial answer. It is a good property in kings and other superiors, to delight in bestowing rewards, and not to delight in punishing. Now Haman thought in his heart As he had great reason to do, because of the favour which the king had showed to him above all others; To whom would the king delight to do honour more than myself? No one deserves to be honoured so much as I, nor stands so fair for it. See how men's pride deceives them! The deceitfulness of our own hearts appears in nothing so much as in the good opinion we are wont to have of ourselves, and of our own performances, against which we should therefore constantly watch and pray. Haman thought the king loved and valued no one but himself, but he was deceived.