1 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, 2 and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” 3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. 4 For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.”
Esther frames the petition and request in a very unique way. Remember, Xerxes is anxious to grant her wish, through his power. Having waited and made sure she had the power of the God through prayer and providence asks for her life, and the lives of her people, be spared. Notice that she does not out herself as a Jew or name the Jewish people. It is a tactic that Nehemiah would also use when before Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 2:4-5).
Esther also says that if it was just slavery, she wouldn’t have even bothered the king. But since in is about annihilation, she risks her life to come before him. She plays to Xerxes ego and power, showing him that she defers to his authority and is taking a giant chance.
5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”
Xerxes now is emotionally invested. What monster would do this to such a beauty as Esther? What deviant would try to wipe out a race of people? Xerxes is ready for war, to defend this hapless people and his beloved queen.
6 Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. 7 The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.
Haman’s in big trouble here. Even though Xerxes doesn’t put it together that he had a hand in this, he realizes Haman is a traitor. As he leaves to blow off steam, Haman stays behind, begging Esther for his life. After his humiliation with Mordecai, and this sudden turn of events, it has left Haman bankrupt before the king and queen. He never though that Esther could have been one of the Jews he was hoping to destroy. Now God’s justice has come full circle.
8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?” As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.” The king said, “Impale him on it!” 10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.
Haman’s end is truly epic and at the same time pathetic. A man who wanted glory at any cost, who could not suffer one person not bowing to him, comes to a crashing end. As he begs for his life, the kings returns and thinks Haman is trying to molest the queen! There is no good ending for Haman, and the very ending that Haman envisioned for Mordecai is his own ending.