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.
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. Perfect timing creates dramatic irony: just as the king wants to honor Mordecai, Haman arrives to request his execution. The narrative emphasizes simultaneity—the king asks "who is in the court?" at the exact moment Haman enters seeking Mordecai's death. God's providence orchestrates this collision of purposes. Haman comes with murderous intent while the king plans honor. The gallows Haman prepared (5:14) awaits, but divine providence will redirect it to its builder. This verse demonstrates how God coordinates timing and circumstances to create perfect reversals.
Historical Context
Haman's early arrival (apparently before dawn, given chapter 6 occurs the night of the banquet from chapter 5) shows his eagerness to execute Mordecai before the day's banquet. Court protocol allowed high officials access to outer courts even at early hours. That the king was awake (due to insomnia, v. 1) and immediately available demonstrates providential timing. The simultaneous arrival of Haman seeking death and the king planning honor creates the narrative's dramatic peak. Ancient audiences would have recognized this as divinely orchestrated reversal—circumstances aligning too perfectly to be coincidental.
Questions for Reflection
How does the perfect timing of these events demonstrate God's sovereignty in coordinating circumstances for His purposes?
What does this teach about how divine providence works through apparently coincidental alignments of timing and circumstances?
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Analysis & Commentary
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. Perfect timing creates dramatic irony: just as the king wants to honor Mordecai, Haman arrives to request his execution. The narrative emphasizes simultaneity—the king asks "who is in the court?" at the exact moment Haman enters seeking Mordecai's death. God's providence orchestrates this collision of purposes. Haman comes with murderous intent while the king plans honor. The gallows Haman prepared (5:14) awaits, but divine providence will redirect it to its builder. This verse demonstrates how God coordinates timing and circumstances to create perfect reversals.