Esther (1999 film)

After a time of purification, it is time for Esther and the other women to present themselves to the king for one night each. After spending the night with Esther, the King falls in love with her and crowns her queen. Sometime later, Mordecai overhears a plot by two of the king's guards, Bigthan and Teresh, against the king and reports this to Esther. Esther exposes the plot to the king, and the men are sentenced to death.

The king's chamberlain Memuchan dies and King Ahasuerus mourns his loss. Esther requests to be received, but the king takes no heed. Haman comes and tells the king to govern once again, but the king takes no heed again. Esther leaves and believes she has lost the king's favor. The king then appoints Haman as lord chamberlain. The next day, Esther calls Haggai to her chambers and asks him what she should do to win back the king's favor. Haggai answers that she must be patient. Meanwhile, Mordechai once again refuses to bow to Haman. Haman's wife Zeresh, family and servants tell him that Mordecai does not respect him. This further angers Haman, and they suggest he builds a gallows 50 cubits high to hang Mordecai upon. Haman then goes to the king and tells him a certain race of people wish to overthrow the king. The king, concerned, gives Haman his signet ring which gives him the right to decree a law that even the king cannot change. Haman sends a decree to all provinces that they should

That night, King Ahasuerus wakes up after having a nightmare, and not able to sleep, asks the royal eunuchs to read the chronicle. They discover that Mordecai was never rewarded for revealing the plot of Bigthan and Teresh. Haman comes to ask permission for the gallows, but the king asks what to do for a man the king wishes to honor. Haman believes that to refer to himself, and describes an ornate ceremonial parade through the city. He is then told to perform this in honor of Mordechai. The ceremony is completed, and Haman then returns to his house in shame and anger.