3Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if the king is pleased,7:3 Est 2:17; 5:8 spare my life; this is my request. And spare my people; this is my desire.7:3 Est 4:12–14

4For my people and I have been sold7:4 Est 3:9,13; 4:7 to destruction, death, and annihilation.7:4 Est 3:13; 8:11; 9:5–10 If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves,7:4 Dt 28:48,68 I would have kept silent. Indeed, the trouble wouldn’t be worth burdening the king.”

5King Ahasuerus spoke up and asked Queen Esther, “Who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme?” 7:5 Lit who would fill his heart to do this7:5 Est 3:5–6,8–9

6Esther answered, “The adversary and enemy7:6 Est 3:10 is this evil Haman.”

7The king arose in anger7:7 Est 1:12; Pr 20:2 and went from where they were drinking wine to the palace garden.7:7 Lit the garden of the house, also in v. 87:7 Est 1:5–6 Haman remained to beg Queen Esther for his life because he realized the king was planning something terrible for him.7:7 Est 6:13

8Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall,7:8 Or the house of wine Haman was falling on the couch7:8 Est 1:6 where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Would he actually violate the queen while I am in the house?” As soon as the statement left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.7:8 Est 6:12; Jb 9:24

9Harbona, one of the king’s eunuchs,7:9 Est 1:12 said, “There is a gallows seventy-five feet7:9 Lit 50 cubits tall at Haman’s house that he made for Mordecai,7:9 Est 5:14 who gave the report that saved7:9 Lit who spoke good for the king.”7:9 Est 2:21–23; 6:1–2

10They hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.7:10 Est 5:14; Ps 7:16; 94:23; Pr 11:5,6; Dn 6:24 Then the king’s anger subsided.7:10 Est 1:12; 2:1