On the third day of the fast, Esther put on her royal robes and entered the inner court of the palace, just across from the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing there in the inner court, he welcomed her and held out the gold scepter to her. So she approached and touched the scepter.
Then the kin asked her, “What do you want, Queen Esther? What is your request? I will give it to you, even if is half the kingdom!”
And Esther replied, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come to day to a banquet I have prepared for the king.”
The king returned to his attendants and said, “Tell Haman to come quickly to a banquet, as Esther requested.” So the king and Haman went to Esther’s banquet.
And while they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “No tell me what you really want. What is your request. I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!”
Esther replied, “This is my request and deepest wish. If I have found favor in the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request and do what I ask, please come with Haman tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for you. Then I will explain what this is all about.” (vv. 1-8, NLT)