ESTHER APPROACHES THE KING

5 On the third day,j Esther dressed in her royal clothing and stood in the inner courtyardk of the palace facing it. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom,B facing its entrance. 2 As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, she gained favor with him. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter.l