Esther approaches the king, who welcomes her, and invites him and Haman to a banquet. At the banquet she asks them to come again the next day. Haman, boasting at home, is angered again by Mordecai and builds a gallows.
1 Now 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 gate of the house .
2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court , that she obtained favour 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 .
3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther ? and what is thy request ? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom .
4 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.
5 Then the king said , Cause Haman to make haste , that he may do as Esther hath said . So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared .
6 And 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 .
7 Then answered Esther , and said , My petition and my request is;
8 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 .
9 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart : but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate , that he stood not up , nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai .
10 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home , he sent and called for his friends , and Zeresh his wife .
11 And Haman told them of 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 .
12 Haman 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 am I invited unto her also with the king .
13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate .
14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high , and to morrow 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 .