Esther 5

Risking her life, Esther prepares and then approaches the King in the inner court without being summoned. King Xerxes graciously extends his golden scepter, sparing her life. Esther does not immediately make her request but instead invites the King and Haman to a private banquet. During the feast, the King presses Esther to make her request, but she simply invites them to a second banquet the following day. Haman leaves the first banquet filled with arrogant pride, but his joy is ruined when he sees Mordecai still refusing to bow to him.