My Queen – My People

Posted On February 2, 2021

Based off of Esther chapter seven.

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“My Queen,” asked Xerxes, “what is it? What is your request—anything; even up to half of my kingdom is yours, if you ask for it. Anything.” Xerxes sipped his wine, leaning back on his pillow comfortably. 

Haman sniffed from his seat, watching us curiously and trying not to show it as he nibbled at some fine food or other.

“Xerxes,” I said, “Your Majesty. If I have found favor with you – and if it pleases you – I—I only ask for my people to be spared.”

 I watched his face closely, and saw only confusion. I set down my goblet. “Only my people, Xerxes—the Jews.”

“The Jews.”

Haman spat out his wine and wiped his mouth on his napkin, coughing softly and trying desperately to avoid notice.

“Yes,” I said, and I put a hand on the King’s shoulder in a gesture meant to calm him. “That is my request. For my people and I have been sold to be destroyed, killed, and annihilated. If it had not been this…. if it had been something lesser, I would not have bothered you with my request. It would not justifiably disturb you—my King.”

“Who is he?” Xerxes asked, standing. “Who is this person who would do such a thing—to the people of my Queen?” His shiny black beard trembled, and his black eyes grew fiery. He was always most terrifying in his anger – a calm, chilling sort of anger that boiled beneath the surface.

I hesitated.

 “Tell me who this person is, this person who would threaten the people of my Queen? Tell me!” 

My king slammed down his goblet, spilling a platter of food on the floor with a bang.

I glanced toward Haman, who sat in his chair clutching the armrests with an expression of terror on his face. He looked at me with eyes that were almost pleading… but I ignored any silent plea of mercy. His reign of terror over my people must be ended.

“It is an adversary,” I said, and Xerxes turned to me, waiting for me to go on. “An enemy to me and my people, the Jews. My only request to you is that the lives of me and my people should be spared.”

“Anything.” Xerxes said, locking eyes with me. 

I lowered my eyes and looked at my hands, adorned with rich rings and symbols of my status. I thought about my people, my friends, Mordecai. And I felt the strength to go on.

 “It is Haman,” I said. “This vile man who sits now in your palace.”

Xerxes’ eyes went wide as this registered– and he spun around to face the man in the chair. 

“You!”

Haman did not speak. He moistened his lips and opened his mouth to defend himself—but before he could say a word, Xerxes left the room in a picture of perfect anger, throwing his goblet of red wine to the floor. I did not know where he was going—but now I was alone in the room with Haman. I braced myself for the inevitable.

“Esther,” Haman said, his groping fingers tightening into a ball. “Oh, My Queen. I have always been good to you.”

“Good to me, Haman? Is this what you call good?”

“Queen—do not let your husband hurt me—my queen, I have ten sons.. a wife…”

It was my turn to remain silent, swallowing painfully. I sank onto my couch and waited for something to happen. I had finally told my King, and now all I had to do was wait. 

 Surely Xerxes would not be gone long. 

Haman stood, keeping his eyes locked on me. “Please, my Queen.” His voice grew quieter, begging. “I can see that the King is going to kill me for what I have done. Please, I beg of you, have mercy on me and do not let him hurt me.”

“You deserve no mercy, Haman.”

“My queen! Listen to me! I am a good—“

I stood quickly, my face contorted with anger. “You are not a good man,” I said. “Nor will you ever be. You have sold my people into destruction. You are greedy—full of nothing but money and greed. Yes, you have ten sons, a wife.. but they are no better than you are. You have put the lives of thousands at risk, and you do not care. I will not plead on your behalf.”

Haman’s mouth hung open, and he seemed to have lost any words, any power to speak. Perspiration beaded on his forehead.

At that moment, the door flew open once more, and Xerxes entered, head held high. When he saw Haman standing over me, his face grew painfully red. “How dare you!” he yelled. “How dare you! I trusted you—I gave you so much. And look at what you have done. You are an enemy to my queen and her people; therefore, you are an enemy to me. You shall surely die!”

Haman gasped for air as several guards entered and pulled his arms behind his back. “No!” he yelled.

“Bind him,” Xerxes ordered the guards. “And he will die by morning.”

Haman grew limp and he succumbed to the guards. They pressed him against the floor as they tied his hands. He turned his face to look at me.

“My Queen,” he breathed as the guards bound him, “My Queen.”

And then he was gone, out the door, out of the palace, out of my life. I had done my duty, and Haman would soon be no more.  

I could feel a weight lifted from my shoulders in that moment; the weight of my accomplishment. I breathed deeply and thought of Mordecai.

My job was finished.