And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king’s house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.
The king asked, 'Who is in the courtyard?' At that very moment, Haman had just arrived in the outer courtyard of the king's palace. He had come to ask the king's permission to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had built for him.
The writer is showing us a moment of perfect timing - just as the king is wondering who's available to help honor someone, Haman arrives planning to kill that very person.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Esther, set in the ancient Persian Empire during the reign of King Xerxes, the story unfolds as the king is dealing with insomnia and has the royal records read to him, which remind him of Mordecai's earlier act of loyalty in exposing an assassination plot. Unbeknownst to the king, Haman, a high official filled with hatred toward Mordecai and the Jewish people, has arrived at the court to request permission to hang Mordecai on gallows he prepared. This moment builds tension in the narrative, showcasing the intricate web of divine providence amidst human intrigue.
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