The Law of Retribution
O. T. Lanphear, D. D. Esther 7:7-10 And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden… A. proverb says, "Harm watch, harm catch," and it is a true saying. Haman: — In the character of Haman there is a singular exhibition of ambition and envy. He was a man without benevolence, justice, or mercy. From the one external act in respect to Mordecai, we infer the fearful depth of depravity within. It does not appear but that his character might have been without reproach previous to his promotion. Exemplary conduct, however, previous to an open act of sin, must not be taken as a proof of purity of character at any time, for the external sots of sin may be compared to the eruptions of a volcano, which sometimes occur only after intervals embracing centuries, while the internal depravity is like those pent fires which lie couched beneath the base of the mountain, where in secret the lava wave is in perpetual motion. From the life and death of Haman learn — 1. That the wicked man cannot go unpunished. 2. That the wicked man will be punished when he least expects it. 3. That the wicked man will be punished by means of his own devising. (O. T. Lanphear, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. WEB: The king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden. Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.