(Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its color like the color of bdellium.

<t /><p class="bodytext">So the king and Haman came to dine<n id="1" /> with Queen Esther.

<p class="bodytext">Then Mordecai again sat at the king&#8217;s gate, while Haman hurried away to his home, mournful and with a veil over his head.

The messengers<n id="1" /> scurried forth<n id="2" /> with the king&#8217;s order.<n id="3" /> The edict was issued in Susa the citadel. While the king and Haman sat down to drink, the city of Susa was in an uproar!<n id="4" />p>

<p class="bodytext">Esther replied, &#8220;If the king is so inclined,<n id="1" /> let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.&#8221;

The king replied, &#8220;Find Haman quickly so that we can do as Esther requests.&#8221;p> <p class="bodytext">So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

<p class="bodytext">Esther replied, &#8220;The oppressor and enemy is this evil Haman!&#8221;p> <p class="bodytext">Then Haman became terrified in the presence of the king and queen.

If I have found favor in the king&#8217;s sight and if the king is inclined<n id="1" /> to grant my request and perform my petition, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet that I will prepare for them. At that time<n id="2" /> I will do as the king wishes.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="bodytext">Then the king said, &#8220;Who is that in the courtyard?&#8221; Now Haman had come to the outer courtyard of the palace to suggest that the king hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had constructed for him.

In rage the king arose from the banquet of wine and withdrew to the palace garden. Meanwhile, Haman stood to beg Queen Esther for his life,<n id="1" /> for he realized that the king had now determined a catastrophic end for him.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="bodytext">When the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet of wine, Haman was throwing himself down<n id="1" /> on the couch where Esther was lying.<n id="2" /> The king exclaimed, &#8220;Will he also attempt to rape the queen while I am still in the building!&#8221;p> <p class="bodytext">As these words left the king&#8217;s mouth, they covered Haman&#8217;s face.