1 So the king and Haman came to banquet 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, 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 adversary 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 king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.
9 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who 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.
The seventh chapter of the Book of Esther in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a pivotal chapter in the story of Esther, a Jewish queen who risked her life to save her people from destruction. This chapter marks the climax of the story, as the tables turn and the villain, Haman, is finally brought to justice. It is a tale of courage, faith, and divine intervention that holds valuable lessons for believers today.
The story of Esther takes place during the reign of King Ahasuerus, also known as King Xerxes, in the Persian Empire. The king had a vast kingdom that stretched from India to Ethiopia, and he ruled from his palace in Susa. The story begins with a lavish banquet hosted by the king, where he displays his wealth and power to his guests. During the banquet, the king commands his queen, Vashti, to come and display her beauty to the guests. However, Vashti refuses, and the king, in a fit of anger, banishes her and begins a search for a new queen.
Esther, a young Jewish woman, is chosen to participate in the search for a new queen. She is brought to the palace and quickly gains favor with the king, who chooses her as his new queen. However, Esther keeps her Jewish identity a secret, as instructed by her cousin and guardian, Mordecai. Meanwhile, Mordecai uncovers a plot to assassinate the king, and he informs Esther, who in turn informs the king, saving his life. This act of loyalty and bravery sets the stage for the events that unfold in chapter 7.
Haman, a high-ranking official in the king's court, becomes enraged when Mordecai refuses to bow down to him. In his anger, Haman plots to destroy all the Jews in the kingdom, using his influence to convince the king to issue a decree for their annihilation. The king, unaware of Esther's Jewish identity, agrees to the decree, and it is sealed with his signet ring, making it irrevocable.
When Mordecai learns of the decree, he urges Esther to go to the king and plead for the salvation of her people. However, approaching the king without being summoned is a risky move that could result in death. Esther, with the support of her people, fasts and prays for three days before going to the king. She puts on her royal robes and enters the king's presence, finding favor in his eyes. The king asks her what she desires, and she invites him and Haman to a banquet that she has prepared.
At the banquet, the king again asks Esther what she desires, and she reveals her Jewish identity and pleads for her people's salvation. The king is shocked and asks who would dare to do such a thing. Esther points to Haman, who is present at the banquet, and reveals his plot to destroy the Jews. The king is enraged and orders Haman to be hanged on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. The decree against the Jews is also reversed, and they are given permission to defend themselves against their enemies.
The story of Esther is a powerful example of God's providence and faithfulness to His people. Despite the seemingly dire circumstances, God was working behind the scenes to bring about His plan for the salvation of the Jews. Esther's courage and faith in approaching the king, even at the risk of her own life, demonstrate the power of prayer and trusting in God's timing.
The story also highlights the consequences of pride and hatred. Haman's pride and hatred towards Mordecai and the Jews ultimately led to his downfall and death. It serves as a warning against allowing negative emotions to consume us and drive us to harm others.
Furthermore, the story of Esther shows the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of danger. Mordecai's refusal to bow down to Haman and Esther's bravery in revealing her identity and pleading for her people's salvation are examples of standing firm in one's beliefs and values, even when it may be unpopular or risky.
Overall, the story of Esther in chapter 7 teaches us about the power of faith, courage, and divine intervention in the face of adversity. It reminds us that God is always in control, even when things seem hopeless, and that He can use even the most unlikely people to accomplish His purposes. It is a story of hope, redemption, and the triumph of good over evil, and its message continues to resonate with believers today.
The seventh chapter of the Book of Esther in the KJV Holy Bible is a crucial chapter in the story of Esther, a Jewish queen who risked her life to save her people from destruction. It is a tale of courage, faith, and divine intervention that holds valuable lessons for believers today. The story teaches us about the power of prayer, standing up for what is right, and trusting in God's providence. It also serves as a warning against pride and hatred and the consequences they can bring. Ultimately, the story of Esther is a testament to God's faithfulness and His ability to use even the most unlikely people to accomplish His purposes.
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