1 On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
2 And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
3 And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.
4 And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.
5 And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.
6 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?
7 And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,
8 Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:
9 And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
10 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.
11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
12 And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.
13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.
14 And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.
The sixth chapter of the Book of Esther in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible continues the story of Esther and her efforts to save the Jewish people from the evil plot of Haman, the king's advisor. This chapter is a pivotal point in the narrative, as it sets the stage for the climax of the story in the following chapters. It also highlights important themes such as divine providence, justice, and the power of humility and obedience.
The chapter begins with King Ahasuerus, also known as King Xerxes, unable to sleep. He orders for the book of records to be brought and read to him, hoping that it will help him fall asleep. As the records are read, the king is reminded of how Mordecai, a Jewish man who had saved his life, has not been rewarded for his actions.
This detail is significant as it shows how easily the king forgets the good deeds of others and how self-centered he is. It also foreshadows the events to come, as Mordecai's actions will once again play a crucial role in saving the king and his kingdom.
Meanwhile, Haman, who had just been promoted to the highest position in the kingdom, is filled with pride and arrogance. He boasts to his friends and family about his wealth and power, but his joy is short-lived when he sees Mordecai refusing to bow down to him. This infuriates Haman, and he decides to seek revenge not only on Mordecai but on all the Jews in the kingdom.
Haman's actions are driven by his pride and desire for power, which ultimately leads to his downfall. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the consequences it can bring.
As Haman is plotting his revenge, the king's servants arrive to take him to the banquet that Esther has prepared. At the banquet, Esther reveals her true identity as a Jew and exposes Haman's evil plan to destroy her people. The king is enraged and orders for Haman to be hanged on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.
This turn of events highlights the theme of divine providence, as it is clear that God is working behind the scenes to protect His people. It also shows the importance of justice, as Haman's wicked intentions are exposed and he is punished for his actions.
After Haman is hanged, the king remembers Mordecai's actions and asks for his advice on how to honor someone who has pleased the king. Mordecai suggests that the person should be dressed in the king's royal robes and paraded through the city on the king's horse, while a royal official proclaims, "Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour" (Esther 6:9).
The king agrees and orders for Mordecai to be honored in this way. This is a significant moment as it not only rewards Mordecai for his bravery and loyalty, but it also serves as a public declaration of the king's favor towards the Jews. This is a stark contrast to Haman's punishment, which is also carried out publicly.
The chapter ends with Mordecai being honored and Haman being punished. This serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of humility and obedience. Mordecai's humble and obedient actions ultimately lead to his reward, while Haman's pride and disobedience result in his downfall.
Furthermore, Esther's obedience to God's plan and her willingness to risk her own life to save her people also highlights the power of humility and obedience. It is through her actions that the Jewish people are saved and Haman's evil plot is thwarted.
Chapter 6 of the Book of Esther is a crucial chapter in the narrative as it sets the stage for the climax of the story in the following chapters. It also highlights important themes such as divine providence, justice, and the power of humility and obedience.
One of the main messages of this chapter is the power of divine providence. Despite the king's forgetfulness and Haman's evil intentions, God is working behind the scenes to protect His people and bring about justice. This serves as a reminder that God is always in control and His plans will ultimately prevail.
The chapter also emphasizes the importance of justice. Haman's wicked actions are exposed and he is punished for his crimes, while Mordecai is rewarded for his bravery and loyalty. This serves as a reminder that justice will always prevail, and those who do wrong will eventually face the consequences of their actions.
Another important message in this chapter is the power of humility and obedience. Mordecai's humble and obedient actions lead to his reward, while Haman's pride and disobedience result in his downfall. Esther's obedience to God's plan and her willingness to risk her own life also highlight the power of humility and obedience. This serves as a reminder that true greatness comes from being humble and obedient to God's will.
Overall, Chapter 6 of the Book of Esther is a powerful reminder of God's providence, justice, and the importance of humility and obedience. It also serves as a turning point in the story, setting the stage for the climax and resolution in the following chapters.
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