Up To Half My Kingdom

          On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.” 
          “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.” 
          “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.”So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 

               As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” 
                Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.” (Esther 5:1-8)          

          So Esther pulls a reverse-Vashti, appearing when she was not summoned. There’s the moment of suspense. If the king doesn’t extend his staff to her, his guards are supposed to drag her away and kill her. I have to admit, there are times when I’d like this power. It’s not that I want to be able to send people to their deaths by ignoring them, but, you know: door-to-door salesmen and other people who think they can just drop by, whenever.  Ah well….

          For some reason, King Xerxes was not in a Queen of Hearts mood (perhaps because the King of Hearts was at work?) He not only extends his scepter, he offers her whatever she wants, up to half his kingdom. I have to wonder about this offer. I know that Middle Eastern cultures are supposed to pride themselves on their generosity. I also know that “No, here, let me give this to you,” doesn’t actually mean you’re permitted to accept it. Not seeming to care about the cost of something doesn’t mean they aren’t weighing every coin you hand them, or that they won’t accuse you of cheating them if their dishonest scale says your coins are a little light. So, I wonder what “up to half my kingdom” really means.
          I also know that it’s entirely possible that the whole of the conversation isn’t recorded here, but I find it a little depressing. Yes, Xerxes was at work, and everyone who showed up was likely to be seeking something. Who would visit the king in his throne room for a game of checkers? To discuss the weather and the outcome of the chariot races? Maybe it’s not so surprising that he had a Queen of Hearts rule. I can relate to his bad attitude. When I was working a regular job, I really didn’t like having people I know show up. First off, there was the likelihood that I wouldn’t recognize them when they were where I didn’t expect them. It’s an embarrassing reality that I have walked by family members because I was focused on my work and didn’t recognize them. Secondly, all too often, if they were coming to see me at work, they wanted something. It may have only been to take me out to dinner, but, “Well, hurry up, we have to get going!” No pressure, no pressure at all. Yes, I can relate to Xerxes, and I feel sorry for him.
         How much of a surprise was it then, when Esther said, “All I want is for you to come to a banquet I’ve prepared in your honor”?  OK, a modern politician would think, “Ugh, another chicken dinner?” It might have been a little perplexing to him when she said, “Oh, and invite Haman, too,” but then again, Haman was the current best buddy and chief advisor, so maybe Xerxes didn’t give it a second thought. And Esther’s request was one likely to please Xerxes, who appears to have been fond of parties.
         And then she raises the stakes, double or nothing....