Esther invited Haman and the king to a banquet

5 Three days later, Esther prepared a big banquet/feast. Then she put on the robes that showed that she was queen, and she went to the inner courtyard of the palace, across from the room where the king was. He was sitting on the throne, facing the entrance of the room. 2 When the king saw Esther standing there in the courtyard, he extended the gold scepter/staff toward her to signal that he would be glad to talk to her. So Esther came close and touched the tip of the scepter/staff. 3 Then the king asked her, “Esther, what do you want? Tell me, and I will give you what you want, even if you ask me to give you half of my kingdom!” 4 Esther replied, “Your majesty, if it pleases you, you and Haman come to the banquet that I have prepared for you!” 5 The king said to his servants, “Go and tell Haman to come quickly to a banquet that Esther has prepared for the two of us!” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared for them. 6 While they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “Tell me what you really want. I will give it to you, even if you ask for half of my kingdom.” 7-8 7-8Esther replied, “I will tell you what I want most of all. Your majesty, if you are pleased with me, and if you are willing to give me what I am requesting, please come again tomorrow to another banquet that I will prepare for the two of you. Then I will tell you what I really want”.