Esther 7:1-7

Haman Impaled 1So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet,

2and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” 3Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request.

4For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king. Or quiet, but the compensation our adversary offers cannot be compared with the loss the king would suffer ”

5King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”

6Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen.

7The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.