The Jewish Response II: Esther’s Plan for Haman: As we have seen, banquets (feasting/drinking) occur at pivotal moments in the book of Esther and they regularly mask deeper realities. Vashti was deposed as a result of her insubordination during the public banquets of chapter 1. Esther is crowned as Vashti’s replacement during a banquet in chapter 2, but her identity is kept secret throughout (2:18–20). Haman dined with the king in a sinister, private banquet after making the king an (unknowing) accomplice in his plot against the Jews in chapter 3. Now a series of equally portentous private banquets is under way. Esther is plotting to undo what Haman had put into effect when the king last “sat down to drink” (3:15). She will not reveal herself or her request to the king (and Haman) until sh…