Esther 5:1  “…on the third day…”
Interesting how many times that phrase is in scripture, on the third day.  I don’t think it coincidence that God calls our attention to it.

1  “…the inner court…across from the king’s house…on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house”
Looked for some extra info on the layout of the palace and courts, but didn’t find anything with a cursory search.  Point is, she went into the area where the king was seated which was restricted to only those he requested, and she stood in a spot where he would easily see her.  It would be obvious to him that she wanted his attention.

2  “…she found favor in his sight…”
All the anxiety of what might happen disappeared immediately as soon as he saw her.

3  “…What do you wish…What is your request…”
He was definitely happy to see her.  Odd that he had not requested her for thirty days, now thirty-three.  Would be interesting to know more about the personal relationship between them.  Was it based on personal aspects or social norms?

4-5  “…let the king and Haman come today…Bring Haman quickly…”
King definitely had strong feelings for his queen.

6  “At the banquet of wine…”
Commentary suggests that the king normally ate alone, but sometimes others were allowed to sit and drink wine with him.  Perhaps this was more of an informal sitting, drinking, and communicating between persons as opposed to a great feast.  Banquet seems to have more varied meanings than just that of feast or celebration.

6-8  “…What is your petition…tomorrow I will do as the king has said”
King asks again, but she puts him off for another day.  Some things appear obvious, but really can only speculate as to her reasoning.  My guess is that she’s making sure she connects to the heart of the king.  By her actions she’s saying, I’ve enjoyed spending time with you and your friend today, I want to do it again.  She didn’t just come to him to get something.

9-13  “Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”
How sad.  He leaves in a great mood until he runs into Mordecai and sees that Mordecai doesn’t bow down to him.  He then tells his wife and friends about all of the great things he has, family, possessions, and power, and it’s a long list.  Yet he can’t be happy with any of it as long as this one man doesn’t pay homage to him.  Has everything a person could ask for, and allows his own pride to rob him of the joy of it.  Tremendous life lesson there.  Results will be just as informative.

14  “…Let a gallows be made…suggest to the king that Mordecai be hanged on it…go merrily with the king to the banquet…the thing pleased Haman…he had the gallows made”
Part of the results.  How cold hearted.  Mordecai’s a problem?  Just kill him and go on your merry way.  Problem is, pride always betrays.

I hope you enjoy reading and studying His word.  May it accomplish what He desires.  Please feel free to comment or post questions.  Thanks for reading!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.