MPV Commentary

The King Causes Haman to Be Hanged on His Own Gallows.

7. When the king orders an execution and then rises from his throne, it's a sign that no mercy is to be expected. Even a sudden rise in anger is equivalent to pronouncing sentence. This was the situation with Mordecai, who had been condemned by Haman without cause.

8. Haman fell at Esther's feet, perhaps initially standing up to beg for pardon but ultimately resorting to a desperate plea. The king returned just then and was outraged by what appeared to be an affront to royal dignity. In Persian culture, covering someone's face was a sign that they were unworthy of looking on the king's face, a punishment typically reserved for malefactors.

9. One of the chamberlains, Harbonah, spoke up before the king, drawing attention to the gallows Haman had prepared for Mordecai. It's likely that Harbonah had seen the gallows earlier when he was sent with an invitation to Haman. His information may have been motivated by a combination of disgust at Haman's treachery and sympathy for Esther, who was in grave danger.

10. As a result, they hanged Haman on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. This outcome serves as a reminder that those who plot evil will often be caught in their own snares (Ps 9:15). The execution of Haman was a just and fitting punishment for his crimes.