Esther 5:1 - Meaning and Application

Here is Esther’s bold approach to the king, Esther 5:1. When the time for their fast ended, she did not delay. On the third day, while the mark of those prayers was still fresh on her spirit, she went to the king. When a heart has been enlarged in fellowship with God, it becomes braver in both doing and suffering for him.

Some think the three-day fast meant one full day and two full nights, with no food at all during that time. In that case, it is called three days in the same way Christ’s time in the grave is spoken of. This view is supported by the fact that the queen appeared at court on the third day. When a hard and dangerous duty must be done, it should be done at once, before courage cools and weakens. What you must do boldly, do quickly.

She also put on her royal clothes so she could present herself better to the king, and she laid aside her fast-day garments. She dressed finely, not to please herself, but her husband. In her prayer, as recorded in the Apocrypha (Esther 14:16), she says to God, “You know, Lord, that I hate the sign of my high position on my head when I appear.” Those whose rank requires rich clothing should learn from this to be inwardly detached from it, and not make clothing their pride. She stood in the inner court, facing the king, waiting between hope and fear, ready for whatever sentence might come.

The king gave her a favorable welcome. When he saw her, she won favor in his sight. The apocryphal writer and Josephus say that she brought two maids with her, leaned on one, while the other carried her train. They also say her face was cheerful and lovely, though her heart was in great distress. They add that the king first looked sharply and fiercely at her, which made her turn pale and faint, and she bowed onto the maid’s head as she passed. Then, they say, God changed the king’s spirit, and in fear he rose from his throne, took her in his arms until she recovered, and comforted her with kind words. That may be so, but Scripture only tells us what matters most.

First, he protected her from the law and assured her of safety by holding out the golden scepter (Esther 5:2). She touched the top of it in gratitude, showing herself to him as a humble petitioner. Like Jacob, after prevailing with God, she now also had favor with men. Whoever is willing to lose his life for God will save it, or find it in a better life.

Second, he encouraged her to speak (Esther 5:3). “What do you want, Queen Esther? What is your request?” He was so far from treating her as a criminal that he seemed glad to see her and eager to help her. The same king who had once put away a wife for not coming when summoned would not be harsh toward another wife for coming uncalled. God can turn the hearts of men, even powerful men who act as if they answer to no one, exactly where he chooses.

Esther feared she might die, but she was promised whatever she asked, even up to half the kingdom. God’s providence often goes ahead of his people’s fears and gives them more than they hoped for, especially when they step forward for his cause. From this story, as our Savior teaches from the parable of the unjust judge, we should take courage to pray always and not lose heart (Luke 18:6-8). Listen to what this proud king says, “What is your petition? What is your request? It will be granted,” and then ask whether God will not hear and answer the prayers of his chosen people, who cry to him day and night.

Esther came to a proud, commanding man. We come to the God of love and grace. She was not called in, but we are invited. The Spirit says, “Come,” and the bride says, “Come.” She had a law against her; we have many promises for us, including, “Ask, and it will be given you.” She had no friend to bring her in or speak for her, and the king’s favorite was her enemy. But we have an advocate with the Father, one in whom he is well pleased. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace.

Third, all she asked at that moment was that the king would come to a banquet she had prepared for him and bring Haman with him, Esther’s enemy and the king’s favorite (Esther 5:4, 5). In this way, she showed the king how highly she valued his favor and company. Whatever else she needed, she wanted his good will above all and was willing to pay any price for it.

She also tested his feelings toward her. If he had refused this small request, it would have been useless to bring forward her larger one. She also wanted to put him in a pleasant mood and soften his spirit, so he would hear her complaint with more tenderness. By inviting Haman, she pleased the king by honoring the man he loved and also secured the presence of the man she wished to confront. She would say nothing of Haman except what she was willing to say to his face. She hoped that, at the banquet, she would find a better and fairer time to present her request. Wisdom helps us know how to deal with hard people and how to approach them in the right way.

Fourth, the king readily came and ordered Haman to come with him also (Esther 5:5). This showed that he still felt kindness toward her. If he had truly meant to destroy her and her people, he would not have accepted her banquet. There he repeated his kind question, “What is your petition?” and his generous promise that it would be granted, even to half the kingdom (Esther 5:6). It was a common saying, by which he meant that he would refuse her nothing reasonable. Herod used the same kind of words (Mark 6:23).

Fifth, Esther then decided to ask only that he would accept another banquet the next day, in her own rooms, with Haman again present (Esther 5:7, 8). She told him that then she would explain her business. This delay of her main request may be explained by her prudence. She hoped to win him further and make herself even more welcome. Perhaps her courage faltered at the moment she was to ask, and she wanted more time for prayer, asking God to give her the right words and wisdom.

It may also be that she knew the delay would be received well as a sign of deep respect for the king and a reluctance to press too hard. What is asked too quickly is often denied just as quickly, but what is asked after a pause deserves more thought. It was also God’s providence at work in her heart, leading her to wait one more day, though she did not know why. God knew that what would happen during the night before the next day would help her plan, bring Haman to the peak of his hatred against Mordecai, and prepare the way for Haman’s downfall.

The Jews may have blamed Esther for moving too slowly, and some may have begun to doubt her sincerity, or at least her zeal. But what happened proved their suspicion wrong, and in the end, everything worked out for the best.