It seems evident that Ahasuerus already knew Mordecai was a Jew, and he also probably knew of his behavior toward his prime minister (cp. Esther 3:1-4). No doubt the king was informed by the same eunuchs who informed Haman (cp. Esther 3:4-6). It also seems evident that the king did not know who the people were that Haman wished to destroy in the king’s name, for why would the king wish to honor a man, whom he also wished to destroy (Esther 3:8-15; cp. Esther 6:10)? Therefore, as I concluded in my previous study, Haman must have kept that knowledge secret from the king, because the king certainly wouldn’t want to destroy the people of the man who saved his life (cp. Esther 2:19-23). Such a thing contradicted Haman’s characterization of the Jews. The king trusted Haman to do the work of a prime minister. He didn’t have to know who all the lawbreakers were, all he needed was to be assured that his servants knew who the they were, and were taking action to destroy them.
With the above in mind, Haman had come early to the palace in hope that the king would allow him to execute Mordecai by impalement, 75 feet high, upon the gallows he had built for that purpose. In so doing, the event was supposed to discourage all, who witnessed Mordecai’s execution, of being disrespectful to the authority of the state. Much to Haman’s surprise and despair, however, the king came to understand that Mordecai was never rewarded for saving the king’s life. Therefore, Ahasuerus told Haman to: “Go quickly! Take the clothing and the horse, just as you have described, and do, as you just indicated, to Mordecai, the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate…” (Esther 6:10; cp. 6:7-9). Thus, Haman’s hopes couldn’t have received a greater shock or have been more deeply undermined. To think that he had come to ask the king’s permission to slay Mordecai, but, instead, he must now honor him.
The whole matter was almost too much for Haman to bear, but what could he do? “So, Haman took the clothing and the horse, and he clothed Mordecai. He, then, led him about on the horse throughout the city’s square, calling before him, “So shall it be done to the man whom the king wishes to honor!” (Esther 6:11). Afterward, Mordecai returned to his duties at the king’s gate, but Haman, thoroughly humiliated, rushed off to his own house, while mourning the event and covering his face (Esther 6:12).
When he reached his house, Haman called his wife and each of his friends together and bemoaned before them the day’s events for their consideration. However, it seemed to Haman’s wife and his friends, who acted as his wise counselors, that such things that happened to him on that day would prove to be for his ultimate hurt. Moreover, they told him: “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him, but you will surely fall before him” (Esther 6:13).
We are told in the scriptures that God will hear the prayers of his faithful servant “while he is yet speaking” (Isaiah 65:24). On the other hand, it also seems to be true that he will do the same in judgment of those who do not call upon him, but, instead, work against his will, for while Haman and his wife and friends were still in this discussion, word came from the king, who sent his eunuchs to advise Haman, that he had been called to the banquet that Esther has prepared (Esther 6:14). Thus, Haman’s fate has now been sealed!
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