1. An invitation to a banquet (1-8)

Esther summoned her courage and went to the king. But when she entered the inner court of the palace, King Xerxes was very pleased with her. He extended his gold scepter to her, indicating she was welcome and would not die. It was an answer to the prayer of her people. The king offered her up to half the kingdom if she asked. But Esther was on a mission. God gave her wisdom to not divulge her request too soon. Instead, she invited both the king and Haman to a banquet that evening. When the king again offered her anything she wanted, she invited the two of them to another banquet the next night. There, she would have an answer for the king.

2. Haman builds his gallows (9-14)

Haman's jovial mood was ruined when he passed by Mordecai and he neither bowed down nor paid him honor. He went home and boasted and bragged to his wife and friends about his high position and the invitations to two banquets from the queen. Then he bitterly complained about Mordecai. His wife and friends counseled him to have gallows built and have Mordecai hanged the next day. Then he could go to the banquet in peace.