Esther 5:2

And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, [that] she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that [was] in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

And it was so, when the king {H4428} saw {H7200} Esther {H635} the queen {H4436} standing {H5975} in the court {H2691}, that she obtained {H5375} favour {H2580} in his sight {H5869}: and the king {H4428} held out {H3447} to Esther {H635} the golden {H2091} sceptre {H8275} that was in his hand {H3027}. So Esther {H635} drew near {H7126}, and touched {H5060} the top {H7218} of the sceptre {H8275}.

When the king saw Ester the queen standing in the courtyard, she won his favor; so the king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Ester. Ester approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

Esther 5:2 describes a pivotal moment in the book of Esther, where Queen Esther approaches King Ahasuerus without being summoned, an act punishable by death in the Persian Empire. This verse highlights the immediate outcome of her courageous decision, revealing the king's response and Esther's acceptance.

Context

This verse follows Queen Esther's brave decision to risk her life for her people, the Jews, who faced annihilation due to Haman's wicked decree. According to Persian court protocol, anyone who approached the king without an explicit invitation faced execution, unless the king extended his golden sceptre as a sign of mercy and acceptance. Esther had spent three days fasting and praying, preparing for this perilous encounter, understanding that the fate of her people rested on this moment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Favor and Providence: The immediate outcome, "she obtained favour in his sight," is a testament to divine providence. Despite the immense risk, God's hand was clearly at work, inclining the king's heart towards Esther. This demonstrates how God can work through human circumstances and the actions of individuals to accomplish His will, even when He is not explicitly named in the narrative.
  • Courage and Obedience: Esther's act of "drawing near, and touched the top of the sceptre" embodies profound courage and obedience to her calling. She had committed to going before the king, even if it meant her death ("if I perish, I perish"), fulfilling her cousin Mordecai's challenge. Her willingness to step into danger underscores her faith and dedication.
  • Royal Authority and Mercy: The "golden sceptre" was the ultimate symbol of the king's absolute authority over life and death. His extension of it was an act of sovereign mercy, signaling not only that Esther's life would be spared but also that he was open to hearing her petition. This moment of royal grace was critical for the subsequent events leading to the deliverance of the Jewish people.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "favour" in this verse is chen (חֵן), which signifies grace, charm, or unmerited kindness. It implies that Esther's acceptance by King Ahasuerus was not something she earned, but a benevolent disposition freely granted by the king. The "golden sceptre" (Hebrew: sharbiyt, שַׁרְבִּיט) refers to a royal staff or rod, serving as a powerful emblem of the monarch's supreme power and the instrument through which his commands were issued.

Practical Application

Esther 5:2 offers powerful lessons for believers today. It reminds us that when we step out in faith and courage, especially in difficult or intimidating situations, God can open doors and grant us favor, even with those in authority. Just as Proverbs 21:1 states that the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, this passage illustrates God's ability to influence circumstances for His purposes. It encourages us to act with boldness when we are called to stand for what is right, trusting that God will provide the necessary grace and open the way.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Esther 8:4

    Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,

  • Esther 4:11

    All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, [there is] one law of his to put [him] to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

  • Proverbs 21:1

    ¶ The king's heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

  • Esther 2:9

    And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, [which were] meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best [place] of the house of the women.

  • Acts 10:4

    And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

  • Acts 7:10

    And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

  • Genesis 32:28

    And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

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