Esther 6
There are so many expressions that sum up this chapter - the one used in the title is from Shakespeare (and I bet you thought I would not know that - thanks Wikipedia!)
Another one could be Schadenfreude, because what happens to our villain here is 100% pure poetic justice.
At the end of the last chapter Haman the villain of the piece has set up a pole 20 metres high and is going to ask the king Xerxes to impale Mordecai the Jew on it as Mordecai won't show him fear. (the fact that he persuaded the king to sign an edict exterminating the Jews because Mordecai's refused to bow or kneel to him upset his sensibilities)
However during the night the king is unable to sleep and in the sentiments of Oscar Wilde's heroine Gwendoline in the importance of being earnest - "I always travel with my diary, it is so good to have something sensational to read on the train" the king ordered the annals of his rule to be read to him and they read the account of Mordecai uncovering an attempt on the kings life.
The king asked them how he showed his gratitude and what had been done for Mordecai.
"Nothing has been done for him" came the reply.
At that moment Haman came into the palace to ask for Mordecai to be impaled on his freshly prepared spike and the king caught him unprepared with the question "What should be done for the man the king chooses to honour"
Thinking quickly Haman thought who could the king honour apart from me? So he said, well let a top noble or prince take a robe of the kings, one that he himself has worn, and a horse that the king has ridden himself with a royal crest. Dress the man in the robe and put him on the horse and then lead him through the city with a town crier announcing this is what is done for the man the king delights to honour"
Good idea said the king - now go and do all that for Mordecai the Jew, don't neglect any part of your excellent suggestion.
Poor Haman is forced to trudge the city leading Mordecai on the kings horse and wearing the kings robe honouring the man who showed no honour or fear of him.
After this Mordecai returned to the kings gate (the bible does not say quite how much fun he had that day!) but Haman rushed home totally humiliated and told his wife and friends.
They told him "You're doomed" (You have to say that with a Scottish accent (like Frazer from Dad's army) Since Mordecai the Jew has started your downfall and you cannot stand up to him, you will come to ruin.
Things then go from bad to worse for Haman, the attendants arrive at this moment to take Haman for dinner with Esther and the king.
There are so many expressions that sum up this chapter - the one used in the title is from Shakespeare (and I bet you thought I would not know that - thanks Wikipedia!)
Another one could be Schadenfreude, because what happens to our villain here is 100% pure poetic justice.
At the end of the last chapter Haman the villain of the piece has set up a pole 20 metres high and is going to ask the king Xerxes to impale Mordecai the Jew on it as Mordecai won't show him fear. (the fact that he persuaded the king to sign an edict exterminating the Jews because Mordecai's refused to bow or kneel to him upset his sensibilities)
However during the night the king is unable to sleep and in the sentiments of Oscar Wilde's heroine Gwendoline in the importance of being earnest - "I always travel with my diary, it is so good to have something sensational to read on the train" the king ordered the annals of his rule to be read to him and they read the account of Mordecai uncovering an attempt on the kings life.
The king asked them how he showed his gratitude and what had been done for Mordecai.
"Nothing has been done for him" came the reply.
At that moment Haman came into the palace to ask for Mordecai to be impaled on his freshly prepared spike and the king caught him unprepared with the question "What should be done for the man the king chooses to honour"
Thinking quickly Haman thought who could the king honour apart from me? So he said, well let a top noble or prince take a robe of the kings, one that he himself has worn, and a horse that the king has ridden himself with a royal crest. Dress the man in the robe and put him on the horse and then lead him through the city with a town crier announcing this is what is done for the man the king delights to honour"
Good idea said the king - now go and do all that for Mordecai the Jew, don't neglect any part of your excellent suggestion.
Poor Haman is forced to trudge the city leading Mordecai on the kings horse and wearing the kings robe honouring the man who showed no honour or fear of him.
After this Mordecai returned to the kings gate (the bible does not say quite how much fun he had that day!) but Haman rushed home totally humiliated and told his wife and friends.
They told him "You're doomed" (You have to say that with a Scottish accent (like Frazer from Dad's army) Since Mordecai the Jew has started your downfall and you cannot stand up to him, you will come to ruin.
Things then go from bad to worse for Haman, the attendants arrive at this moment to take Haman for dinner with Esther and the king.
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