Esther 6 1

Esther 6:1 kjv

On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.

Esther 6:1 nkjv

That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.

Esther 6:1 niv

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.

Esther 6:1 esv

On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king.

Esther 6:1 nlt

That night the king had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant to bring the book of the history of his reign so it could be read to him.

Esther 6 verses

Esther 6 1 meaning

Esther 6:1 marks a pivotal moment in the book, showcasing the unseen hand of God at work through seemingly ordinary circumstances. On a night when Haman was preparing to seek Mordecai's death, King Ahasuerus experienced an inexplicable sleeplessness. Instead of remedies or entertainment, he unusually requested that the royal chronicles, the official records of memorable events and decrees, be read aloud to him. This specific request and the particular timing of its fulfillment set the stage for the dramatic reversal of fortunes, highlighting divine providence as the orchestrator of events that would lead to the deliverance of God's people.

Esther 6 1 Context

Esther 6:1 takes place on the critical night between the two banquets hosted by Queen Esther. Earlier in chapter 5, Haman had been exalted and celebrated at the first banquet, becoming even more arrogant. Filled with rage because Mordecai refused to bow, Haman immediately constructed gallows, intending to secure royal permission the very next morning to hang Mordecai. The atmosphere is tense with foreboding for the Jews, yet Haman feels triumphantly secure. Historically, Persian kings meticulously kept detailed records of significant events, decrees, and loyal services. This common practice became a precise instrument in God's hands, positioning an overlooked act of faithfulness (Mordecai uncovering the plot against the king) to be discovered at the perfect, dramatic moment to foil Haman's wicked scheme and reverse the destiny of God's people.

Esther 6 1 Word analysis

• On that night: This phrase immediately signifies divine timing and providential appointment. It's not just "any" night, but that particular night, laden with cosmic significance for the deliverance of the Jews.
• the king: In Hebrew, מֶלֶךְ (melek). Ahasuerus is the most powerful man in the world at this moment, yet he is merely an unwitting instrument in God's overarching plan.
• could not sleep: In Hebrew, נָדְדָה שְׁנָתוֹ (naděděh shěnāṯô), literally "his sleep fled" or "his sleep wandered away." This is not a simple case of insomnia but rather a divinely ordained disturbance. Such divinely imposed sleeplessness or troubling dreams in royal figures (e.g., Pharaoh in Gen 41, Nebuchadnezzar in Dan 2) often signals an impending significant divine intervention, serving as a catalyst for a chain of events God has predetermined.
• and he gave orders to bring: This demonstrates the king's absolute authority and immediacy of action. His command is unquestioned and instantly executed. The "bringing" (וַיָּבִיא, wayyābîʾ) is prompt.
• the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles: In Hebrew, סֵפֶר הַזִּכְרֹנוֹת דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים (sepher ha-zikhrōnôt divrê hayyāmîm). This refers to the official royal annals, a comprehensive ledger of significant events and acts of loyalty to the kingdom. These were meticulous records kept by royal scribes (like 2 Ki 24:5, 1 Ki 11:41), meant to preserve history and recognize valuable service. The selection of these specific books for reading is crucial; it was not a random tale or entertainment, but an official state record. This specific designation highlights God’s meticulous planning in preparing for Mordecai's forgotten good deed to come to light precisely when it was most needed.
• and they were read before the king: The act of reading aloud (וַיִּקְרָא, wayyiqrā’) emphasizes the official nature and importance of the content. This public reading before the king ensures the information is directly received and acknowledged, setting up the subsequent inquiry and immediate action regarding Mordecai.

• "On that night the king could not sleep": This phrase embodies divine superintendence. It underscores that God can move the heart and even the physical state of the most powerful person to achieve His purposes (Prov 21:1). It highlights how God can use mundane circumstances as instruments for profound spiritual outcomes.
• "and he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king": This entire sequence illustrates meticulous divine orchestration. It’s not just the sleeplessness, but the specific, seemingly arbitrary choice of what to read (out of perhaps many records), and the timing of it being Mordecai’s record that reveals God's precision. It moves from an internal state (sleeplessness) to an external action (commanding the chronicles), leading directly to the pivotal discovery that sets in motion the deliverance of the Jews.

Esther 6 1 Bonus section

The narrative genius of Esther 6:1 lies in its profound use of dramatic irony. As King Ahasuerus's sleepless night unfolds, prompting the reading of the chronicles and the rediscovery of Mordecai's loyalty, Haman is literally on his way to the palace at dawn (as revealed in the next verse, Esth 6:4), his mind fixed on asking for Mordecai's immediate execution and even, quite literally, building the very gallows on which he himself will ultimately be hanged. The contrast between Haman's soaring arrogance and God's quiet, decisive intervention highlights the absolute sovereignty of God over human pride and malevolence. This verse functions as the narrative hinge, demonstrating how God brings the proud low and exalts the humble, precisely at the eleventh hour. The absence of God's explicit name in the book of Esther paradoxically amplifies His hidden, pervasive work, with Esther 6:1 serving as the clearest demonstration of His providential hand throughout the story.

Esther 6 1 Commentary

Esther 6:1 is the decisive turning point in the Book of Esther, embodying the overarching theme of God's sovereign providence, even when His name is unmentioned. Haman is at the zenith of his pride, poised to accomplish his evil design. Meanwhile, God orchestrates a simple, natural phenomenon – the king’s insomnia. This seemingly insignificant event is transformed by God into the divine instrument of the Jews' salvation. The king's unusual request for the chronicles to be read, and the "coincidental" reading of Mordecai's past service, powerfully illustrate how God guides the hearts and actions of rulers and the unfolding of seemingly random events to accomplish His perfect will and deliver His people from their adversaries. It’s a profound display of God's behind-the-scenes work, revealing His omnipresent control over human affairs, even those seemingly outside His direct influence. For us, this verse provides comfort and confidence: God works, even in our mundane moments or struggles, for His greater purpose and our good. A restless night can be a prompt from God for an unexpected, pivotal step in our lives, just as He works through ordinary means to fulfill extraordinary plans.