Introduction
‘That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. “What honour and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. “Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.’ Esther 6:1-3
Mordecai Honoured
Here again, we see God’s providence at work as the king couldn’t sleep. It’s possible that God was now at work in all parties concerning the conspiracy of Haman and He wouldn’t allow the king to sleep.
Because he couldn’t sleep, he asks for the book of the chronicles to be read to him, Malachi 3:16. Although the text doesn’t tell us, it’s certainly possible that he used this to help him get to sleep on occasion, but this time, the written record caught his attention because it was about how Mordecai had saved him from the plot of his two eunuchs, Esther 2:21.
At that time, Mordecai hadn’t been rewarded for his act of loyalty in reference to the king. He had saved the king’s life by preventing the assassination plot of Bigthan and Teresh, Esther 2:21.
The king didn’t remember anything being done for him either, which is why he wanted to know if he had been honoured for his noble deed. When he later discovered that Mordecai was a Jew, then he would conclude that the Jews were actually loyal to the king, Esther 6:14.
‘The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him. His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered. When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honour?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honour than me?” So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honour, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honour and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honour!’” Esther 6:4-9
Haman had come early in the morning in order to get the king’s permission to hang Mordecai and the king wanted to know who it was. When he found out it was Haman, he invited him in.
Before Haman was able to say anything to the king, the king was asking Haman for his advice on how he should honour a man that he was delighted with.
Haman in his arrogant pride thought the king wanted to honour him and so, he went out of his way to think of the best honour possible that would feed his ego. This is why you see him wanting to wear the royal robe and to be paraded around on a horse that the king has ridden.
Wearing the king’s clothing demonstrated the king’s favour of the one who was presented before the people, 1 Samuel 18:4 / 2 Kings 2:13-14 / Isaiah 61:3 / Isaiah 61:10 / Zechariah 3 / Mark 5:27.
We can imagine how Haman is feeling at this point, he would be well pleased with himself and full of himself.
‘Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.” So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honour!” Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!” While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.’ Esther 6:10-14
We can only imagine the shock that came to Haman once he heard that he was to kneel down and pay homage to Mordecai, Romans 8:28. Haman wanted to kill Mordecai, but now he has to give him the honour that he thought he was going to receive.
We can imagine how low he now must have felt when he had to dress Mordecai in the royal robe and the horse with the royal crest and then have to parade him around town in front of everyone, Proverbs 16:18.
Notice that Haman was so upset, that he went home to mourn with his head covered. His wife and his friends didn’t help matters because they told Haman if Mordecai was a Jew then he doesn’t stand a chance of defeating him. Haman would surely fall before Mordecai.
The tables have now been turned as Haman wanted to oppress God’s people, God would raise them up, 1 Samuel 2:8 / Revelation 3:8-9.
While Haman was throwing himself a pity party, the king’s eunuchs tell him to come to the banquet prepared by the queen. No doubt receiving the invite to the banquet would have made Haman feel a little better, but as we’re about to see in the next chapter, things aren’t going to go well for Haman.
