It's easy to overlook that this record of Mordecai's loyalty is found not in a hero's biography, but in the king's official daily log of events. This means Mordecai's life-saving act was recorded like a simple factual entry, highlighting how God's providential hand was already weaving his faithfulness into the very fabric of the kingdom's history, waiting for the perfect moment to be revealed.
And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. And the king said, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” The king’s young men who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The king, unable to sleep, requests the royal chronicles be read to him, leading to the discovery of Mordecai's past loyalty. Just the night before, Haman had been planning to ask the king to hang Mordecai, so this discovery immediately sets the stage for a dramatic reversal. The narrative is building towards the king recognizing Mordecai's unrewarded service and Haman's impending downfall.
Ever feel like your good deeds go unnoticed? This verse shows how even seemingly small acts of faithfulness can be seen and used by God, even when history seems to forget.
This passage highlights an incredible moment of divine intervention. The king can't sleep, a common human experience. But here, it's not just a random sleepless night; it's God at work. He orchestrates the king's insomnia to lead him to a forgotten record.
The Book of Records
The 'book of records of the chronicles' wasn't just a casual diary; it was an official registry for significant events and loyal service. It's in this weighty historical account that Mordecai's quiet act of loyalty is preserved.
Divine Memory
God's memory is perfect, even when human records are incomplete or neglected. Mordecai's faithfulness, recorded years earlier, is brought to light at precisely the right moment.
A conspiracy lurks in the shadows, yet it's the quiet reporting of a faithful man that's preserved. Discover the contrast between treacherous plots and enduring faithfulness.
Esther 6:2 brings us face-to-face with a life-or-death situation that was narrowly averted.
The Plot
Bigthana and Teresh, two high-ranking officials (referred to as eunuchs or chamberlains), were in a position of trust, guarding the king's very person. Yet, they plotted to assassinate King Ahasuerus. The exact method isn't detailed here, but the intent was deadly.
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Mordecai's Action
In contrast to the treachery, Mordecai acted with integrity. He discovered this plot and reported it to the authorities, as recorded in Esther 2:21-23. His loyalty was not for recognition but was an act of civic duty and faithfulness to the established order.
Preservation of Truth
This seemingly small act of reporting a conspiracy was significant enough to be officially recorded. It served as a testament to Mordecai's character and loyalty, waiting for its appointed time.
Understand the original words
saris · Hebrew Noun
A court official, often a man who had been castrated, frequently serving in positions of high trust and responsibility within ancient Near Eastern royal households.
shalach yad · Hebrew Verb phrase
To stretch out the hand against someone with the intent to harm, kill, or assassinate; it implies an act of violence or rebellion against authority.
yeqar · Hebrew Noun
A position of high regard, esteem, glory, or worthiness; in a biblical context, it often refers to the public recognition of a person's value or service.
gedullah · Hebrew Noun
A title or mark of status; it refers to something that sets a person apart or distinguishes them from others, often due to a specific achievement or royal favor.
The seemingly forgotten act of Mordecai's loyalty, which saved the king's life years prior, is brought to light by divine providence at the precise moment it is needed to thwart Haman's wicked plot.
c. 483 BC
Mordecai uncovers assassination plot
Mordecai, a Jewish exile serving at the Persian court, overhears two eunuchs, Bigthana and Teresh, plotting to assassinate King Ahasuerus. He reports the plot, and the conspirators are apprehended and executed.
c. 479 BC
Haman rises to power
Haman the Agagite, an enemy of the Jewish people, is promoted to the highest position in King Ahasuerus's court, second only to the king himself. All officials are commanded to bow before him.
c. 475 BC
Haman plots destruction of Jews
Mordecai refuses to bow to Haman, further enraging him. Haman persuades King Ahasuerus to issue a decree for the extermination of all Jews throughout the Persian Empire on a specific date.
c. 475 BC
Esther becomes queen
Esther, a young Jewish woman raised by Mordecai, has been chosen as queen by Ahasuerus. Mordecai advises her to keep her Jewish identity secret.
c. 475 BC— this verse
King Ahasuerus cannot sleep
On a particular night, King Ahasuerus is unable to sleep and commands that the royal chronicles be read to him. This is the critical moment orchestrated by Providence.
c. 475 BC
Mordecai's loyalty is recorded
As the chronicles are read, the account of Mordecai's past loyalty in uncovering the assassination plot is discovered and read to the sleepless king.
This passage is the direct account of Mordecai uncovering the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, showing the original discovery that is now being rediscovered by the king.
Proverbs 16:33This verse speaks to how even seemingly random events, like a king's sleeplessness, are ultimately directed by God, highlighting the divine hand in the unfolding events of Esther's story.
Psalm 7:11-13This psalm describes God as a righteous judge who prepares his weapons against evildoers, mirroring how Mordecai's past faithfulness is God's 'weapon' being prepared against Haman.
Daniel 2:21This verse states that God removes kings and sets up kings, underscoring the sovereign power at work behind the scenes of human affairs, including the king's decision to read the records.
pooleEsther 6:2: "And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus."
No text from Poole on this verse.
ellicottEsther 6:2: "And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus."
(2) It was found written. —See Esther 2:21-23 .
It's easy to overlook that this record of Mordecai's loyalty is found not in a hero's biography, but in the king's official daily log of events. This means Mordecai's life-saving act was recorded like a simple factual entry, highlighting how God's providential hand was already weaving his faithfulness into the very fabric of the kingdom's history, waiting for the perfect moment to be revealed.
The king, unable to sleep, requests the royal chronicles be read to him, leading to the discovery of Mordecai's past loyalty. Just the night before, Haman had been planning to ask the king to hang Mordecai, so this discovery immediately sets the stage for a dramatic reversal. The narrative is building towards the king recognizing Mordecai's unrewarded service and Haman's impending downfall.
The king, unable to sleep, requests the royal chronicles be read to him, leading to the discovery of Mordecai's past loyalty. Just the night before, Haman had been planning to ask the king to hang Mordecai, so this discovery immediately sets the stage for a dramatic reversal. The narrative is building towards the king recognizing Mordecai's unrewarded service and Haman's impending downfall.
"And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. And the king said, “What honor or distinction has been besto…" — It's easy to overlook that this record of Mordecai's loyalty is found not in a hero's biography, but in the king's official daily log of events. This means Mordecai's life-saving act was recorded lik…
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Last reviewed October 2026
