1. That same night, the king could not sleep. So he told a servant to bring the history book and read it to him. (The Book of History of the Kings lists everything that happens during a king’s rule.)
2. The servant read the book to the king. He read about the evil plan to kill King Xerxes. That was when Mordecai had learned about Bigthana and Teresh. These two men were the king’s officers who guarded the doorway. They had planned to kill the king, but Mordecai learned about the plan and told someone about it.
3. Then the king asked, “What honor and good things have been given to Mordecai for this?” The servants answered the king, “Nothing has been done for Mordecai.”
4. Haman had just entered the outer area of the king’s palace. He had come to ask the king to hang Mordecai on the hanging post Haman had commanded to be built. The king said, “Who just came into the courtyard?”
5. The king’s servants said, “Haman is standing in the courtyard.” So the king said, “Bring him in.”
6. When Haman came in, the king asked him a question. He said, “Haman, what should be done for a man the king wants to honor?” Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would want to honor more than me? I’m sure that the king is talking about honoring me.”