Esther 2 – Mordecai saves the King

“But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai”

Balawat Gates of Shalmaneser III of Assyria. Author: Mujtaba Chohan Source: Wikimedia Commons

Esther 2 concludes with Mordecai sitting at the King’s gate. The gate was more of a gate house than a simple backyard fence gate. Think of a medieval castle with a separate grand entrance outside the castle. The gate at Susa was imposing–according to the Archaeological Study Bible it measured nearly 44 yards across (nearly half a football field long!) and had a central room that was 23 yards square. It may have looked like the Gate of Nations at Persepolis. There was a massive statue of Darius that stood at the entrance, with inscriptions in three languages honoring the Persian god Ahuramazda. Imagine standing before such an incredible structure!

I imagine that Mordecai was patiently waiting at the gate to hear news about Esther. While he’s waiting he overhears the “bouncers” guarding the gate’s doorway plotting to kill the King. Somehow Mordecai gets word to Esther, who then informs the King. An investigation takes place proving Mordecai’s report to be true and the would-be assassins were put to death. All this is recorded in the King’s annals, but at the end of the chapter we don’t see Mordecai being rewarded, which was customary for people who had demonstrated “acts of loyalty.”

Seed Thought: I struggle with the pride of getting credit for my accomplishments. I wonder if Mordecai felt that way when he wasn’t recognized for saving the King’s life? I don’t think he warned the King for the purpose of getting the reward; he was concerned for Esther’s safety and well-being, but he was also obedient to God. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24).