Esther approaches the king without his request to do so. It turns out just fine! She is met with pleasure, and amazing generosity. For us, reading this with knowledge of the whole story, it’s almost an anti-climax. But Esther did not know what the king would do, so it must have taken tremendous courage to stand there, even with all the prayerful preparation and support behind her, waiting for the king’s approval – or a death sentence. 

Esther’s answer to the king’s question seems designed to please! He clearly has a predilection for feasting, so to invite him and his best buddy Haman to a banquet is a smart move. And at the banquet, Esther is the only person who possesses all the facts. Her nationality; the king’s edict against the Jews, instigated by Haman; and now, the knowledge of the king’s offer to give her up to half his kingdom. That gives her great power – but she carefully paves the way to achieving her aim with a second banquet invitation, and a promise to ‘reveal all’ on that occasion (v 7). This tactical approach proves wise.

‘My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever.’¹
  
Esther’s desire that she be kept safe so her people might be made safe was fulfilled. She really does come across here as a very intelligent woman. The quietly obedient woman of 2:20 seems to have come into her own! She embraces a slow and steady approach, knowing that intriguing the king by delaying her real request would make it more likely that he would want to find the answer and give his agreement. She knows his partiality for parties and prepares food and drink. She invites Haman to this preliminary banquet, so that his presence at the second, more significant, meal would not be seen as surprising. The king is put in a good mood by the banquet invitation and has already pretty much decided that he will do whatever it is that Esther is going to ask. The writer’s ongoing presentation of the king is not positive. He is easily persuadable, reacts to praise and gifts rather than thinking diplomatically or thinking much at all! But Esther knows this and takes advantage of her knowledge.  

So what are we meant to learn from this little section? Is it that coming straight to the point is not always the best way forward? Is it that clear thinking is likely to overcome self-indulgent pride? Is it that using worldly methods is sometimes a good way to achieve our aims? Maybe all of these are good things to take note of, but the only way we can assess what God’s attitude might be to what is going on here is by depending on our knowledge of his attitude to Israel’s behaviour in other different contexts. There is not even editorial comment to guide us. Again, narrative challenges us – and leaves us with work to do!

Lord, events are again clear but the reasons they are recorded are not. Help us listen to what your word might actually be saying to us in our particular situations.

¹ Phil 4:19,20