Esther's plea 7:1-6

This banquet probably took place in the afternoon since Haman had already led Mordecai around Susa on a horse that day and since Haman died later that day.

Esther was in a very dangerous position. She not only now identified herself with a minority group that Haman had represented to the king as subversive, but she also accused one of his closest confidential advisers of committing an error in judgment. Nevertheless she appealed to the king to do what was in his best interests (v. 4). Ahasuerus saw at once that his enemy, whoever he was, was going to rob him of his queen and his wealth. When Esther finally named the culprit, Ahasuerus had already decided to punish him severely.