Esther 5:4 kjv
And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.
Esther 5:4 nkjv
So Esther answered, "If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him."
Esther 5:4 niv
"If it pleases the king," replied Esther, "let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him."
Esther 5:4 esv
And Esther said, "If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king."
Esther 5:4 nlt
And Esther replied, "If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a banquet I have prepared for the king."
Esther 5 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Wisdom & Timing | ||
| Prv 15:23 | A person finds joy in giving an apt reply, and how good is a timely word! | Highlighting the wisdom of proper timing. |
| Prv 25:11 | A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. | Emphasizing the value of opportune communication. |
| Ecc 3:1 | For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. | Strategic patience in God's broader plan. |
| Eph 5:15 | Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time. | Wise action and discernment of opportunities. |
| Strategic Delay & Preparation | ||
| Hab 2:3 | For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. | Trusting in divine timing and future revelation. |
| John 2:4 | Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." | Jesus' awareness of and adherence to divine timing. |
| Humility & Petition to Authority | ||
| Neh 2:4-5 | Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed...and said, “If it pleases the king...” | A similar respectful approach when making requests to a king. |
| Prv 21:1 | The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will. | God's sovereignty over the hearts of rulers. |
| Phil 4:6 | Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication...let your requests be made known to God. | Seeking God in prayer before approaching earthly authorities. |
| Feasting & Setting Traps | ||
| Jdg 14:10 | So Samson’s father went down to the woman, and Samson made a feast there, for so the young men used to do. | Feasts as cultural gatherings in biblical narrative. |
| Psa 7:15-16 | He digs a pit and makes it deep, and falls into the pit that he has made. His mischief returns upon his own head... | Foreshadowing of Haman falling into his own destructive plans. |
| Psa 35:8 | Let destruction come upon him by surprise, and let the net that he hid ensnare him; let him fall into it... | Enemies being caught in their own devices. |
| Prv 26:27 | Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. | Retributive justice for those who scheme evil. |
| Isa 25:6 | On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine... | Banquets can symbolize divine deliverance and blessing. |
| Matt 22:2-3 | "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son... But they refused to come." | Parable involving a king's banquet and invitation. |
| Lk 14:16 | But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many.” | Parable highlighting a generous invitation to a feast. |
| Divine Providence & Sovereignty | ||
| Gen 50:20 | As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive... | God working through human actions for His ultimate purpose. |
| Prv 16:9 | The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. | God's overarching control over human planning. |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. | God's purpose realized through all circumstances. |
| Courage & Deliverance | ||
| Esther 4:16 | "...and if I perish, I perish.” | Esther's previous courageous decision to approach the king. |
| 2 Tim 1:7 | For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. | Source of Esther's inner strength and discipline. |
Esther 5 verses
Esther 5 4 Meaning
Esther 5:4 describes Queen Esther's cunning reply to King Ahasuerus after he extended his golden scepter, allowing her to approach and promising to grant her wish "up to half the kingdom." Instead of immediately presenting her critical petition to save the Jewish people, Esther strategically invited the king and Haman, his highest official, to an exclusive banquet she had prepared for that same day. This deliberate deferral and specific guest list set in motion a sequence of events, isolating Haman and creating the perfect environment for Esther to expose his malicious plot.
Esther 5 4 Context
Esther 5:4 is situated at a critical juncture in the Book of Esther, following a series of pivotal events. King Ahasuerus, in the vast Persian Empire, had elevated Haman, who then decreed the annihilation of all Jews. Mordecai, Esther's guardian, urged her to intervene, leading to Esther's agonizing decision to approach the king unbidden, risking her life. The preceding verses (Esth 5:1-3) describe Esther's courageous entry into the king's inner court, and Ahasuerus's unexpected mercy as he extended his golden scepter, saving her life and then promising to grant her desire, "even to half of the kingdom." It is at this high point of potential immediate resolution that Esther's response in verse 4 becomes strategically crucial. She defers her primary request, instead setting the stage for a private dinner with the king and Haman, showcasing profound wisdom, timing, and an understanding of Persian court intrigue.
Esther 5 4 Word analysis
- And Esther answered: This marks her direct and deliberate response to the king’s query, indicating she had a clear plan. It highlights her composure and decisiveness in a high-pressure situation.
- If it please the king, (Hebrew: ’im-ʿal-hammeleḵ ṭôḇ): This deferential and polite phrasing demonstrates Esther's adherence to royal protocol and submission to the king’s authority, even after he extended significant grace. It emphasizes that while she had his favor, she still respected his ultimate power. This humility strengthens her position, appearing unpresuming.
- let the king and Haman come: This specific dual invitation is central to Esther’s brilliant strategy. By inviting Haman alongside the king, Esther elevated his status in the king's eyes and Haman’s own. It was a singular honor for Haman, feeding his pride and securing his attendance, unknowingly walking him further into the Queen's planned trap. The deliberate exclusion of other courtiers created an intimate setting critical for her true petition.
- this day: The immediate timing creates a sense of urgency and maintains momentum. It also allows Haman little time to reflect or for unforeseen circumstances to alter Esther's careful plan, drawing him swiftly to his fate.
- unto the banquet: (Hebrew: mishte) In the ancient Near East, a banquet was not merely a meal but often a place for significant declarations, negotiations, or even betrayals. Choosing this setting suggests a planned, controlled environment where power dynamics and alliances could be subtly manipulated.
- that I have prepared for him: This personal touch underscores Esther's initiative and care in orchestrating the event. It suggests the seriousness and thought behind her invitation, making it even more compelling for the king and Haman to attend. It signifies her ownership of the initiative.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "And Esther answered, If it please the king...": This phrase elegantly merges Esther's quick and thoughtful response with deep respect for the king's position. It showcases her poise and strategic patience, not rushing to articulate her desperate plea despite the open invitation, but instead beginning with courtesy and control.
- "...let the king and Haman come this day...": This particular choice of guests and immediate timing reveals Esther’s profound understanding of psychology and power. By including Haman exclusively with the king, she both isolates him and allows his immense pride to be inflated by this perceived special honor, unknowingly walking him into the heart of the royal court's intimate spaces right before his catastrophic fall.
- "...unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.": This concluding part of her request shifts the setting to one of intimate hospitality, implying a more personal or sensitive matter than a public royal decree. By personally preparing the feast, Esther underscores the significance of the invitation and strengthens its persuasive power, laying a meticulously set table for the unraveling of a treacherous plot.
Esther 5 4 Bonus section
- A "Soft Start" to a Hard Conversation: Esther's strategy of beginning with a banquet rather than a direct petition demonstrates a "soft start" approach. She knows her request for Haman's execution will be monumental and require careful handling. The banquet allows her to gauge the king's mood, create a more intimate and less formal atmosphere, and possibly build even greater favor and curiosity before dropping such a shocking revelation.
- Haman's Illusory Success: Haman interprets this exclusive invitation as the pinnacle of his status and the king's favor, a deeply ironic twist. This false sense of security leads him to further boasts and arrogance, intensifying the dramatic contrast with his impending downfall, serving as a powerful warning against pride.
- Foreshadowing of Two Banquets: This first banquet invitation subtly foreshadows a second, equally critical banquet in chapter 7. Esther's plan unfolds in stages, demonstrating her measured approach and creating escalating tension and anticipation for both the reader and the characters involved. This strategic pacing allows for the dramatic revelation and execution of Haman.
Esther 5 4 Commentary
Esther 5:4 unveils Esther's strategic genius, revealing a blend of courage, wisdom, and impeccable timing, empowered by God's guiding hand. After risking her life to gain an audience with the king and being granted an open request, her decision not to reveal her primary concern immediately is remarkable. Instead, she defers, choosing a banquet as the setting for her request. Crucially, she invites Haman, a seemingly inexplicable move to onlookers, yet deeply calculated. This invitation strokes Haman's massive ego, causing him to revel in his elevated status, unwittingly walking into Esther's carefully constructed trap. The immediate timing ("this day") maintains suspense and prevents Haman from preparing for a potential confrontation. This verse underscores the narrative's central theme of divine providence; while God is not explicitly mentioned, His sovereignty is evident in Esther’s shrewd actions. It teaches that faith and dependence on God often involve diligent preparation and astute timing in human endeavors.