51 Now it came about on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace in front of the king's rooms , and the king was sitting on his royal throne in the throne room , opposite the entrance to the palace . 2 When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court , she obtained favor in his sight ; and the king extended to Esther the golden scepter which was in his hand . So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter . 3 Then the king said to her, "What is troubling you, Queen Esther ? And what is your request ? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be given to you." 4 Esther said , "If it pleases the king , may the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him." 5 Then the king said , " Bring Haman quickly that we may do as Esther desires ." So the king and Haman came to the banquet which Esther had prepared . 6 As they drank their wine at the banquet , the king said to Esther , " What is your petition , for it shall be granted to you. And what is your request ? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be done ." 7 So Esther replied , "My petition and my request is: 8 if I have found favor in the sight of the king , and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and do what I request , may the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king says ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Esther 5:1-8
Commentary on Esther 5:1-8
(Read Esther 5:1-8)
Esther having had power with God, and prevailing, like Jacob, had power with men too. He that will lose his life for God, shall save it, or find it in a better life. The king encouraged her. Let us from this be encouraged to pray always to our God, and not to faint. Esther came to a proud, imperious man; but we come to the God of love and grace. She was not called, but we are; the Spirit says, Come, and the Bride says, Come. She had a law against her, we have a promise, many a promise, in favour of us; Ask, and it shall be given you. She had no friend to go with her, or to plead for her; on the contrary, he that was then the king's favourite, was her enemy; but we have an Advocate with the Father, in whom he is well pleased. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace. God put it into Esther's heart to delay her petition a day longer; she knew not, but God did, what was to happen in that very night.