That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. Esther 6:1
In spite of the published decree, Mordecai ignores Haman, showing neither fear nor respect. Grimly Haman raises a high gallows, intending to ask Xerxes the next day for permission to hang Mordecai (Chapter 5).
That night Xerxes cannot sleep. He has servants read the records of his reign, and when they come to the conspiracy earlier uncovered by Mordecai, the king asks how Mordecai has been honored. When told nothing has been done for him, Xerxes resolves to correct the oversight. The next day, before Haman can ask for Mordecai’s life, the king orders him to lead a horse carrying Mordecai, dressed in royal robes, through the streets of the capital. Crushed, Haman completes the hateful task and rushes home.
1 That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. 2 And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 3 Then the king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” And the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.”
… 6 So Haman came in, and the king asked him, “What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought in his heart, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” 7 And Haman answered the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, 8 let a royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which the king has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head. 9 Then let this robe and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that he may array the man whom the king delights to honor. Then parade him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!’ “
Haman’s humiliation (6:6-11). Considering Haman’s hatred of Mordecai and plot against him, Xerxes’ command that Haman honor his enemy was devastating. Later, Haman’s wife and friends failed to comfort him – and even predicted his downfall.
… 12 Afterward Mordecai went back to the king’s gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered. 13 When Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him, his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him but will surely fall before him.” 14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs came, and hastened to bring Haman to the banquet which Esther had prepared.
6:13 The issue of the ongoing survival of the Jewish people is the point of this verse. Haman’s wife and friends told Haman that he would not prevail, for the very reason of Mordecai’s Jewish descent. The Hebrew working is quite strong: the meaning is that he will most certainly fall.
Somehow the Lord had not only brought awareness of the incident to Xerxes at the right time, He had also caused Xerxes to overlook a reward when the plot was uncovered.
The greater our expectations, the more severe our disappointments. The Apostle Paul wisely says that he has learned to be content whatever his situation (Phil. 4:11). Don’t fix your hopes as Haman did on the satisfaction of some sinful desire. Settle for the contentment Paul found in knowing the Lord.