(1) v.3b grant me my life as my request, and my people as my petition. 7:4 For we have been sold—both I and my people
Esther revealed her race the first time. She was willing to be killed with them together.
(2) What Esther requested was a reversal of the king's over. A queen reversal or resistance of the king's order was not grant in chapter 1.
(BKC) Esther may have been apprehensive, not knowing if the king would grant her request. It was quite possible that he would fly into a rage, as he had done with Vashti (1:12).
(NAC) Esther realized that it was a life-and-death matter, and she risked her life to do something about it. Esther must have remembered Vashti’s fate and thought of the possible severity of her own actions. This did not stop her, but rather she continued her heroic actions....she accused Haman of conspiracy. These announcements placed her in a dangerous position. She did not know how the king would react. She was probably uncertain whether Haman or she would have more influence.
(3) 7:7 In rage the king arose from the banquet of wine and withdrew to the palace garden...7:8 When the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet of wine, Haman was throwing himself down on the couch where Esther was lying.
(ZIBBC OT) The Persian nobles dined reclining on couches rather than sitting. Each guest would have his or her own couch, which would be decorated in ways befitting their ranks.168 It is unclear if Haman threw himself on the queen or if he merely fell. In either case, he had committed an egregious error: According to some authors, touching the king’s wife was penalized with death. In Assyrian law, no man was allowed to draw within more than seven paces of a member of the king’s harem
Reflection: The timing of the king returned was perfect for him to see what Haman had done. Again, this reminds us the sovereignty of God. However, in this chapter, we also see the responsibility of man (or woman). Esther was brave to show up in front of the king without his prior permission (ch 5). Now, she was brave to voice out her request.
Do we trust God's sovereignty? Do we take our responsibility seriously? Are we brave as we trust Who God is?
Audrey
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