So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While it seems straightforward, the invitation to "feast" was more about prolonged drinking, a common Persian practice, highlighting Esther's strategic patience in waiting for the opportune moment to reveal her request. This wasn't a casual meal, but a calculated setting where she intended to trap Haman.
So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Having previously invited them to a banquet, Esther now hosts King Ahasuerus and Haman, who is unaware he will be implicated in Esther's plot. This second banquet is where Esther will finally reveal her identity as Jewish and accuse Haman of plotting to annihilate her people.
Esther didn't invite the king and Haman to just any old meal. This banquet was a carefully planned step in a dangerous game.
Esther's invitation to a banquet wasn't a casual social gathering. It was a strategic move, a pause in the unfolding crisis. She had already faced the king (Esther 5:1-3) and Haman had puffed himself up, building gallows for Mordecai (Esther 5:10-14).
Esther's request for another banquet (Esther 5:8) shows she was buying time, gathering her courage, and discerning the right moment to reveal her plea. This wasn't just about food; it was about setting the stage for a life-or-death confrontation.
What did a 'banquet' in ancient Persia actually look like? It might surprise you how much drinking and eating of dessert filled the time.
Persian feasts, especially those involving royalty, were not always about the main courses we might imagine. Historical accounts suggest these events often involved extended periods of drinking wine and enjoying desserts.
This detail adds a layer to Esther’s strategy. By extending the banquet over potentially more than one day (as implied by the progression of the story), she created an atmosphere where the king might be more relaxed, and where Haman’s own arrogance could fester and become more exposed. It wasn't just a quick meal; it was an event designed to unfold over time.
Understand the original words
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mishteh · Hebrew Noun
A formal or festive meal, often involving community, covenant, or celebration. In biblical contexts, it can symbolize provision, fellowship, or a time of judgment.
This verse marks a pivotal moment in the Book of Esther. The second banquet, alluded to here, is where Esther will reveal Haman's wicked plot and plead for her people's lives, leading directly to Haman's downfall.
c. 483 BC
Vashti Deposed as Queen
King Ahasuerus deposes Queen Vashti after she refuses his command to appear at a royal feast, setting the stage for Esther's rise.
c. 482 BC
Esther Becomes Queen
Esther, an orphaned Jewish woman raised by Mordecai, is chosen to replace Vashti and becomes the new queen of Persia.
c. 474 BC
Haman's Plot Against the Jews
Haman the Agagite, a high-ranking official, casts lots (pur) and determines to annihilate all Jews in the Persian Empire on a set date.
c. 474 BC
Esther's First Invitation
Esther invites King Ahasuerus and Haman to a banquet, a strategic move to uncover and counter Haman's plot.
c. 474 BC— this verse
King and Haman Attend Banquet
King Ahasuerus and Haman attend the banquet hosted by Queen Esther, awaiting her petition.
This passage describes a banquet held by Pharaoh, highlighting the significance of such gatherings in ancient Near Eastern culture, much like the banquet Esther prepares in chapter 7.
Proverbs 25:2This proverb speaks of the glory of God in concealing a matter and the glory of kings in searching it out, which echoes the hidden danger and ultimate revelation that unfolds at Esther's banquet.
Song of Solomon 1:4The bride invites the king, 'Into his chambers we will go. We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine.' This mirrors Esther's invitation to the king and Haman, setting the stage for a critical moment, though with vastly different stakes.
Luke 12:48Jesus teaches that much will be required of those to whom much is given. Esther, having been elevated to queen, uses her privileged position and the opportunity of a banquet to confront injustice, reflecting this principle.
gillEsther 7:1: "So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen."
So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. Or, "to drink with her" (e), that is, wine; for in the next verse it is called a banquet of wine; so they did according to the invitation the queen had given them, Esther 5:8 . (e) "ut biberent", V. L. Tigurine version; "ad bibendum", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius, Vatablus.
pooleEsther 7:1: "So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen."
Esther maketh a petition for her own and her people’s life, Esther 7:1-4 . She accuseth Haman, who had determined to destroy the Jews, Esther 7:5,6 . Haman is afraid, Esther 7:6 . The king in his anger, Esther 7:7,8 , being informed of the gallows which Haman had built for Mordecai, causeth him to be hanged thereon, Esther 7:9,10 . No text from Poole on this verse.
While it seems straightforward, the invitation to "feast" was more about prolonged drinking, a common Persian practice, highlighting Esther's strategic patience in waiting for the opportune moment to reveal her request. This wasn't a casual meal, but a calculated setting where she intended to trap Haman.
Having previously invited them to a banquet, Esther now hosts King Ahasuerus and Haman, who is unaware he will be implicated in Esther's plot. This second banquet is where Esther will finally reveal her identity as Jewish and accuse Haman of plotting to annihilate her people.
Having previously invited them to a banquet, Esther now hosts King Ahasuerus and Haman, who is unaware he will be implicated in Esther's plot. This second banquet is where Esther will finally reveal her identity as Jewish and accuse Haman of plotting to annihilate her people.
"So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther." — While it seems straightforward, the invitation to "feast" was more about prolonged drinking, a common Persian practice, highlighting Esther's strategic patience in waiting for the opportune moment to…
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Last reviewed October 2026