1Now it came to pass on the third day , that Esther put on her royal apparel , and stood in the inner court of the king ’s house , over against the king ’s house : and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house , over against the entrance of the house . 2And it was so , when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court , that she obtained favor in his sight ; and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand . So Esther drew near , and touched the top of the sceptre . 3Then said the king unto her , What wilt thou , queen Esther? and what is thy request ? it shall be given thee even to the half of the kingdom . 4And Esther said, If it seem good unto the king , let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him . 5Then the king said , Cause Haman to make haste , that it may be done as Esther hath said . So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared . 6And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine , What is thy petition ? and it shall be granted thee : and what is thy request ? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed . 7Then answered Esther, and said , My petition and my request is: 8If I have found favor in the sight of the king , and if it please the king to grant my petition , and to perform my request , let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them , and I will do to-morrow as the king hath said .
The King's Favor and Invitation
9Then went Haman forth that day joyful and glad of heart : but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king ’s gate , that he stood not up nor moved for him , he was filled with wrath against Mordecai . 10Nevertheless Haman refrained himself, and went home ; and he sent and fetched his friends and Zeresh his wife. 11And Haman recounted unto them the glory of his riches , and the multitude of his children , and all the things wherein the king had promoted him , and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king . 12Haman said moreover , Yea , Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself ; and to-morrow also am I invited by her together with the king . 13Yet all this availeth me nothing , so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king ’s gate . 14Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him , Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high , and in the morning speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon : then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet . And the thing pleased Haman ; and he caused the gallows to be made .