Esther of Susa

VIII Honored

On that same night, the king couldn't sleep, so he commanded his servants to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king. 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.

  Therefore, the king said, "What honor and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this?"

  Trying to register his question, the king's servants that ministered unto him said, "There is nothing done for him, my Lord."

  "Who is in the court?" Ahasuerus asked.

  Now Haman was into the outward court of the king's house, preparing his time to speak unto the king. With the twisted idea of hanging Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. And the king's servants said unto him, "Behold, Haman is standing in the court, waiting to speak with you."

  With a nod, Ahasuerus approved, "Let him come in."

  "I'm at your orders my king," Haman said entering. So the king said unto him, "Tell me, what shall it be done into a man whom the king wishes himself to honor?"

  And Haman thought in his heart, "To who else would the king delight to do honor more than to myself?"

  Giving forth all that, he answered the king, "For the man whom the king delights to honor. Let the royal robes be brought to him, the horse that the king rides and the royal crown upon his head. And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes. That they may array the man withal whom the king delights to honor, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him. Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor."

  Satisfied with his offer, Ahasuerus nodded. "Great. It shall be done that way. Go now and do everything you just suggested." With a wide smile, Haman started making his way out. Then the king said to Haman, "Also Mordecai."

  Making him stop abruptly, Haman made sure to register the king's words.

  Noticing how Haman had changed of appearance, Ahasuerus frowned. "Remember? Mordecai, the scribe that sits at the gates of the king."

  Taking his papyrus, he continued writing down. "Make haste, and take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew. Let nothing fail of all that you just have spoken." Ahasuerus demanded clearly.

  Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, "Make way! Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delights to honor."

  And voices at great roars claimed to Mordecai. Because it was the man the king had honored in all Susa.  

  And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning and having his head covered.

  And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, "If Mordecai is of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him."

  And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.