Austah (Esther) — 5

Austah’s Banquet

1 Now it happened on the third day that Austah put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, across from the king’s house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house. 

2 So it was, when the king saw Queen Austah standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Austah the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Austah went near and touched the top of the scepter.

3 And the king said to her, “What do you wish, Queen Austah? What is your request? It shall be given to you, up to half the kingdom!”

4 So Austah answered, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

5 Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, that he may do as Austah has said.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Austah had prepared.

6 At the banquet of wine the king said to Austah, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!”

7 Then Austah answered and said, “My petition and request is this: 

8 If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”

Haman’s Plot Against Murdacayahu 

9 So Haman went out that day joyful and with a glad heart; but when Haman saw Murdacayahu in the king’s gate, and that he did not stand or tremble before him, he was filled with indignation against Murdacayahu. 

10 Nevertheless Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and called for his friends and his wife Zarash. 

11 Then Haman told them of his great riches, the multitude of his children, everything in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and servants of the king.

12 Moreover Haman said, “Besides, Queen Austah invited no one but me to come in with the king to the banquet that she prepared; and tomorrow I am again invited by her, along with the king. 

13 Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Murdacayahu the Yahudym sitting at the king’s gate.”

14 Then his wife Zarash and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows be made, fifty cubits high, and in the morning suggest to the king that Murdacayahu be hanged on it; then go merrily with the king to the banquet.” And the thing pleased Haman; so he had the gallows made.