Page "Esther" Paragraph 11

After the banquet Haman ordered a gallows constructed, high, on which to hang Mordecai.

Meanwhile, the king was having trouble sleeping, and had some histories read to him.

From the reading the king remembered that Mordecai had saved him from an assassination attempt, and had received no reward in return.

Early the next morning, Haman came to the king to ask permission to hang Mordecai, but before he could, the king asked him " What should be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?

" Haman thought the king meant himself, so he said that the man should wear a royal robe and be led on one of the king's horses through the city streets proclaiming before him, " This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!

" The king thought this well, then asked Haman to lead Mordecai through the streets in this way, to honor him for previously telling the king of a plot against him.

After doing this, Haman rushed home, full of grief.

His wife said to him, " You will surely come to ruin!