Tyndale Open Study NotesEsther 6

• sleep escaped the king: God was protecting Esther and Mordecai.

• the Book of Records, the Chronicles: Ancient kings kept records of their rule.

Fortunately, the king's servant opened the royal records to the page where Mordecai revealed the plot (Esther 2:21–23).

What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this act?: Persian kings were known for being generous to their supporters, so the king was likely surprised that nothing had been done.

As the king thought about how to honor Mordecai, Haman came to request Mordecai's death. Ironically, the king asked Haman for advice on how to reward Mordecai.

Haman loved public praise and recognition. He wanted to be honored like a king, to wear royal clothes, and to ride the king’s horse. In short, he wanted to be king for a day. Haman believed another of the king’s top officials would honor him through the streets of Susa. Instead, Haman had to honor Mordecai in that role (Esther 6:10).

do just as you proposed...to Mordecai the Jew: Haman, completely shocked by this reversal, could only obey the king's command in full detail.

Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has begun, is Jewish, you will not prevail against him: Haman’s wife and friends saw this as more than coincidences. The text does not explain why Zeresh and the advisers believed Mordecai’s Jewish heritage would cause Haman’s plans to fail.