Esther 7. Esther Accuses Haman, and he is Hanged on the Gibbet he had Prepared for Mordecai. On the same day, at her second drinking-feast, Esther suddenly bursts out in impassioned denunciation of Haman (Esther 7:6), and in cries for help from his murderous intent against her and ail she loves. A passage here (Esther 7:3 f.) has fretted students, but it is simple when simply translated. We are sold, cries Esther, I and my race, to death and utter ruin! Would that it had been for slaves and handmaids we were sold! Then had I been silent. But in our adversary there is lacking everything that will equal the king's loss. She means that slaves sold bring in cash, but murdered subjects bring none. The king's eyes are opened: in his rage at Haman he can scarce restrain himself. When the wretched Haman, in his terror, appeals to the Jewish queen, and seems to be dishonouring her by kneeling at her couch, the king has him hurried out and away to death by impalement on the very stake he had prepared for Mordecai. The king then confers on Esther all the immense wealth that Haman had amassed, and makes Mordecai Grand Vizier. So the apocalyptic faith that Israel would receive material exaltation is fulfilled in some senses (Esther 8:1 f.).
Esther 7:1-10
1 So the king and Haman came to banqueta with Esther the queen.
2 And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.
3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:
4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed,b to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.
5 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?
6 And Esther said, The adversaryc and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.
7 And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.
8 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.
9 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallowsd fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.
10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.