Est 6:1 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.

The book of the chronicles – Persian chronicles were generally written in verse, by the best poets in the land.

Notes in this passage the extraordinary sequence of ‘coincidences’ which the eye of faith with perceive as divine providence.

Est 6:2 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.

Est 6:3 “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. “Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.

Est 6:4 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 hanging Mordecai on the gallows he had erected for him.

‘Haman arrived early at the palace because he needed the royal assent for the execution of Mordecai, but before he could voice his petition the king had raised quite another issue: how to honour a deserving subject. Imagining that he was to be the recipient of the honour, Haman eagerly described his own ambition. He wished to receive the prestige and acclaim due to a man honoured by his sovereign; to wear the king’s clothes, ride his horse and, in effect, impersonate him and receive royal homage.’ (NBC)

Est 6:5 His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered.

Est 6:6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?”

Est 6:7 So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor,

Est 6:8 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.

Est 6:9 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 honor, 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 honor!'”

Est 6:10 “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.”

The misunderstanding was total. The king was unaware of Haman’s hopes and of the bitter irony of Haman’s plight in being asked to honour Mordecai instead of hanging him. Most odious of all was the public loss of face, for all his friends were aware of the gallows looming high over the citadel, and of Haman’s plot against Mordecai. Instead of being hanged Mordecai returned to the king’s gate, unmoved by events, but fascinated, no doubt, by the volte-face of his enemy. Haman for his part was mortified, and received no comfort from his wife; the mood at home had changed. Superstitious minds read the signs, and lost their confidence in him. Events now moved swiftly. Messengers from the king were already on the doorstep to summon Haman to Esther’s second banquet. Time had caught up with him.

Est 6:11 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 honor!”

Est 6:12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief,

Est 6:13 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!”

Est 6:14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.