4 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.
4 "If it pleases the king," replied Esther, "let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him."
4 And Esther said, "If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king."
4 "If it please the king," said Esther, "let the king come with Haman to a dinner I've prepared for him."
4 So Esther answered, "If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him."
4 And Esther replied, "If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a banquet I have prepared for the king."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Esther 5:4
Commentary on Esther 5:1-8
(Read Esther 5:1-8)
Esther having had power with God, and prevailing, like Jacob, had power with men too. He that will lose his life for God, shall save it, or find it in a better life. The king encouraged her. Let us from this be encouraged to pray always to our God, and not to faint. Esther came to a proud, imperious man; but we come to the God of love and grace. She was not called, but we are; the Spirit says, Come, and the Bride says, Come. She had a law against her, we have a promise, many a promise, in favour of us; Ask, and it shall be given you. She had no friend to go with her, or to plead for her; on the contrary, he that was then the king's favourite, was her enemy; but we have an Advocate with the Father, in whom he is well pleased. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace. God put it into Esther's heart to delay her petition a day longer; she knew not, but God did, what was to happen in that very night.