1 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 3 “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. “Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.
King Xeres cannot sleep. So what does he do? He calls for a book to be brought to him to make him sleepy. The book chosen is the record of things done in the past, a book of remembrance. And the story that is read to him is one of Mordecai.
This is another example of God in motion even when we don’t believe God may even care. Xerxes remembers that Mordecai was the one who thwarted an assassination attempt but was never commended for it (Esther 2:19-23).
4 The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him. 5 His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered.
It seems this is perhaps happening the next day, but regardless of when it is happening, God is at work. Although Haman and Xerxes don’t understand the hand of God here, God has set up the situation to bring justice to Mordecai and glory to himself. Haman shows up, just at the right time, to speak to Xerxes about killing Mordecai, just as Xerxes is showing a bout of compassion for Mordecai. After all, Mordecai saved his life.
6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” 7 So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, 8 have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. 9 Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’”
Haman’s request is small and childish. He wants to parade through the city streets in the guise of a king for his own praise.
10 “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.” 11 So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”
Haman, at the height of his pride, suddenly is given a jolt. Instead of parading through the streets in his honor, the king requests that Mordecai take his place. And it’s Haman’s job to lead Mordecai through the procession. This was a deep humiliation for Haman, to honor the very man he was attempting to destroy simply because Mordecai chose not to give Haman the honor he thought he deserved.
12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, 13 and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!” 14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.
At the height of his anguish, one that he told all of his hangers-on, now he is fetched for the banquet in”His honor”.