Esther 5:8 kjv
If I have found favour 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.
Esther 5:8 nkjv
If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said."
Esther 5:8 niv
If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king's question."
Esther 5:8 esv
If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my wish and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said."
Esther 5:8 nlt
If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request and do what I ask, please come with Haman tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for you. Then I will explain what this is all about."
Esther 5 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:23 | A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good a word rightly spoken! | Strategic timing of words/requests. |
| Prov 16:3 | Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established. | Trusting God in strategic planning. |
| Prov 21:1 | The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD... | God's sovereignty over kings' decisions. |
| Prov 25:15 | Through patience a ruler can be persuaded... | Patience in dealing with authorities. |
| Neh 1:11 | "give success to your servant today, and grant him favor..." | Prayer for favor with earthly rulers. |
| Dan 2:2 | The king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers... | Banquets and crucial decisions in courts. |
| Gen 40:20-21 | On the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he gave a banquet... | Banquets as settings for judgments/events. |
| Esth 1:3 | in the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet... | Banquets for display of power/decision. |
| Esth 4:11 | all the king’s servants and the people... know that if any man... comes... is put to death... | Esther's previous risk in approaching king. |
| Esth 4:14 | For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise... | God's sovereign plan for deliverance. |
| Esth 7:1-2 | So the king and Haman came to Queen Esther's banquet. And on the second day... | The very next day, as Esther promised. |
| Esth 7:3-6 | Queen Esther answered, "If I have found favor... Let my life be given... and my people..." | Her actual petition delivered later. |
| Psa 75:6-7 | For not from the east or from the west... comes promotion, but God is the judge... | God controls promotion and downfall. |
| Psa 37:7 | Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him... | Wisdom in waiting for God's timing. |
| Isa 30:18 | Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up... | God's patience and readiness to act. |
| Ecc 3:1 | For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. | Strategic timing and discerning seasons. |
| Mt 10:16 | "Be shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves." | Wisdom in strategy for God's people. |
| Luke 12:4 | "I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body..." | Overcoming fear for the sake of purpose. |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may... | Seeking divine favor/help. |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God... | Divine wisdom for critical decisions. |
| Jas 4:13-15 | "you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'" | Recognizing divine will in future plans. |
| Acts 24:24-25 | Some days later Felix came... and sent for Paul and heard him... | Authorities delaying matters. |
Esther 5 verses
Esther 5 8 Meaning
Esther 5:8 conveys Queen Esther's second deferment of her specific request to King Ahasuerus. After being received by the king and invited to present her petition, she strategically requests a second private banquet for the king and Haman the next day. This delay demonstrates her prudent approach, allowing time to further discern and prepare for her crucial revelation regarding Haman's plot against her people. It subtly heightens the king's curiosity and sets the stage for the dramatic unfolding of divine providence.
Esther 5 8 Context
Esther chapter 5 begins with Queen Esther bravely approaching King Ahasuerus unbidden, risking her life for her people (Esth 4:16). The king extends his scepter, sparing her life and inviting her to present her request, promising up to half his kingdom. Instead of immediately revealing Haman's plot, Esther requests a private banquet for the king and Haman that same day (Esth 5:4). This verse (5:8) describes Esther's further delay. At this first banquet, when the king presses her for her petition, she cunningly defers it to a second banquet to be held the next day, setting the stage for the climactic confrontation. This delay is a masterful stroke, building suspense and giving Haman a false sense of security, which further entrenches him in his pride.
Esther 5 8 Word analysis
- If I have found favor:
- Implies humility and reliance on the king's benevolence. This also hints at seeking divine favor, reflecting an attitude common in the Bible when approaching earthly authority figures.
- Hebrew: ’im-māṣā’ṯî ḥēn bəʿêne ha-melek (אם־מצאתי חן בעיני המלך). ḥēn (favor/grace) is a significant term for divine and human approval (e.g., Gen 6:8, Exo 33:13).
- Connects to the broader biblical theme of divine providence enabling individuals to find favor with authorities (e.g., Joseph, Nehemiah, Daniel).
- in the king's eyes:
- An idiom signifying the king's approval, good regard, and acceptance. It speaks to the inner disposition and external manifestation of the king's favor.
- and if it please the king:
- Repeats the emphasis on royal will, demonstrating Esther's subservience and respect for the king's prerogative. This politeness further disarms the king.
- Hebrew: wə’im-ʿal-hammelek ṭōḇ (ואם־על־המלך טוב) - "and if it is good upon the king."
- to grant my petition and to perform my request:
- Esther uses two terms (שֶׁאֵלָתִי, she'elati, petition/earnest plea; וְלַעֲשׂוֹת אֶת־בַּקָּשָׁתִי, vela‘ăsot ’et-baqqašatî, to do my request/demand) suggesting both a plea for an audience and the actual action taken by the king in response.
- This dual phrasing adds solemnity and earnestness to her yet-unrevealed request.
- let the king and Haman come to the banquet:
- Reinforces the exclusivity and importance of the second banquet. The inclusion of Haman is key to her strategy; it elevates his pride, making his eventual downfall more spectacular.
- Hebrew: yābō’ hamelek wəhāMān ’el-hammišeteh (יבא המלך והמן אל־המשתה). mišeteh (banquet) is frequently used in Esther, denoting occasions of celebration, decree, or significant revelation.
- which I will prepare for them:
- Emphasizes Esther's personal investment and effort, ensuring the king's attendance and Haman's unsuspecting participation.
- and tomorrow I will do according to the king's word:
- This is Esther's shrewd delaying tactic. It commits her to presenting her full request the following day, keeping the king curious and granting herself more time for strategy, reflection, or prayer (though prayer is not explicitly mentioned in Esther, it is implied by the events).
- Hebrew: ūməḥār ’eʿeśeh kidbar hammelek (ומחר אעשה כדבר המלך). ūməḥār (tomorrow) highlights the specific and limited deferral.
Esther 5 8 Bonus section
The phrase "according to the king's word" at the end of Esther 5:8 reinforces Esther's submission and adherence to protocol, which is critical given she had previously risked her life by approaching the king unbidden. Her strategic timing also reveals a deep understanding of human psychology, especially that of Ahasuerus and Haman. The inclusion of Haman at both banquets creates a public perception of his high standing and closeness to the queen, a source of extreme pride for him, making his imminent demise even more impactful and publicly humiliating. This entire sequence is a masterclass in diplomacy and spiritual warfare.
Esther 5 8 Commentary
Esther 5:8 showcases Queen Esther's remarkable wisdom, courage, and strategic acumen under immense pressure. Her double deferral of the petition is not hesitation but a calculated delay. By inviting Haman to a second private banquet, she subtly builds his confidence and pride, allowing him to revel in his favored position with the king, thereby setting him up for a greater fall. This extended suspense intensifies the dramatic tension and further highlights Haman’s arrogance (as seen in Esth 5:11-12 where he boasts of this favor). From a biblical perspective, Esther's human strategy is intricately woven with divine providence. Her timing allows for crucial developments outside the banquet, such as King Ahasuerus's sleepless night and reading of the chronicles (Esth 6:1-3), which is essential for Mordecai's exaltation and Haman's eventual downfall. This delay ensures the king fully grasps the injustice and threat posed by Haman's plot at the most opportune moment.