Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

That night, King Ahasuerus couldn't sleep, so he ordered his record keepers to bring the book of annals and read it aloud to him.

It was written in the records that Mordecai, one of the king's loyal servants, had uncovered a plot by Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's guards who were tasked with guarding the palace gates. They had planned to assassinate the king, but Mordecai had exposed their scheme.

The king asked his attendants, "What reward has been given to Mordecai for his bravery?" But they replied, "Nothing has been done in recognition of his actions."

Just then, Haman, the king's most trusted advisor, entered the outer courtyard of the palace. He was there to persuade the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows he had prepared for him.

The king's attendants told the king, "Haman is standing in the court." The king called out to him, "Let Haman come in."

So Haman entered the throne room, and the king asked him, "What should be done to honor the man I want to reward?" Haman assumed that the king would want to honor him, but he decided to propose an extravagant gesture instead.

Haman replied, "For the man you wish to honor, bring out the royal robes, the horse the king rides on, and the crown he wears. Have them brought to Mordecai, so he can wear them just as you do."

The king agreed with Haman's plan and instructed him to take the royal attire and horse to Mordecai immediately.

Haman hastily assembled a team of attendants and delivered the royal robes and horse to Mordecai at the palace gate. He led Mordecai on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming to the people, "This is how we honor the man the king delights to honor."

As they rode by, Haman returned home, his head covered in mourning.

When he arrived home, Haman told his wife Zeresh and their friends about the humiliating experience he had just endured. They warned him, "If Mordecai is of Jewish descent, as you now realize, you will never be able to overcome him. You will ultimately fall before him."

Just then, the king's attendants arrived with an urgent message from the palace: Haman was summoned to join the king for a banquet that Esther had prepared.