Esther 7:7-10
The Gallows He Had Prepared
Read the passage
7In his fury, the king arose from drinking his wine and went to the palace garden, while Haman stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life, for he realized that the king was planning a terrible fate for him.
8Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Would he actually assault the queen while I am in the palace?” As soon as the words had left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.
9Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said: “There is a gallows fifty cubits high at Haman’s house. He had it built for Mordecai, who gave the report that saved the king.” “Hang him on it!” declared the king.
10So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the fury of the king subsided.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The king rises in fury and goes into the palace garden. Haman stays to beg Esther for his life, realizing that the king intends a terrible fate for him. The woman whose people he planned to destroy is now the person he appeals to for mercy.
When Xerxes returns, Haman is falling on the couch where Esther reclines. The king accuses him of trying to assault the queen. The narrator has described Haman pleading for his life; we should distinguish that account from the king's accusation. Haman's face is covered.
Harbonah, one of the king's eunuchs, then speaks. At Haman's house stands a gallows fifty cubits high, built for Mordecai—the man whose report saved the king.
Hang him on it!
Xerxes' order brings a terrible reversal. Haman dies on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai. The king's fury subsides.
The planner of destruction has fallen into the harm he intended for another. Yet the threat to the Jews is not finished with him: in the next chapter Esther must still seek an answer to his decree. His death and her people's deliverance are not the same event.
Questions
1 Where does the king go in his fury?
AnswerInto the palace garden. Haman remains to beg Esther for his life.
2 How do the narrator's account and the king's accusation differ?
AnswerThe narrator describes Haman pleading and falling on Esther's couch. The king accuses him of assaulting her.
3 What does Harbonah tell the king?
AnswerHaman has built a gallows for Mordecai, whose report saved the king. The gallows stands at Haman's house.
4 What happens to Haman?
AnswerAt the king's command, he is hanged on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's fury subsides.
What This Means for Us
Haman's end warns us about plotting harm, not how to enjoy another person's downfall. Take threats seriously and seek protection for those at risk. When wrongdoing is exposed, ask what still needs to be repaired. Removing the person responsible may not undo the consequences for those they have harmed.
Prayer
Just God, protect those threatened by cruelty and expose plans that would harm them. Keep us from delighting in vengeance, and help us care for people whose danger is not yet over. Amen.