That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the kingâs officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.
âWhat honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?â the king asked.
âNothing has been done for him,â his attendants answered.
The king said, âWho is in the court?â Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him.
His attendants answered, âHaman is standing in the court.â
âBring him in,â the king ordered.
When Haman entered, the king asked him, âWhat should be done for the man the king delights to honor?â
Now Haman thought to himself, âWho is there that the king would rather honor than me?â So he answered the king, âFor the man the king delights to honor, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the kingâs most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, âThis is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!âââ
âGo at once,â the king commanded Haman. âGet the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the kingâs gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.â
So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, âThis is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!â
Afterward Mordecai returned to the kingâs gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him.
His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, âSince Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against himâyou will surely come to ruin!â While they were still talking with him, the kingâs eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.