Definition: And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What [is] thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what [is] thy request? and it shall be performed, [even] to the half of the kingdom.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Esther 7:2. It’s a really important moment in the story of how Esther saves her people! Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: This verse is about a request for help and a promise of reward. It’s essentially saying, “You have a big problem, and I want to help you.” Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine…” – This sets the scene. The King is in a celebratory setting (a banquet) with Esther. It's a moment of importance and trust. “…what is thy petition, queen Esther?” – The King is asking her to tell him what she needs. He wants to know what’s bothering her. “and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, [even] to the half of the kingdom.” - This is the crucial part. The King is promising to fulfill her request. He's saying, “I’ll help you if you ask for something significant, and I will make it happen – a large portion of the kingdom!” The word "even" emphasizes that this is a substantial amount. In simpler terms: Esther is facing a difficult situation where she needs to save her people from danger (likely a plot against them). The King wants to know what she’s asking for, and he promises to help her if it's something important enough to significantly impact the kingdom – roughly half of it. Why is this important? This story highlights several key themes: Trust: Esther needs the King's trust to act. Responsibility: Esther takes on a significant responsibility, and the King rewards her for it. Divine Providence: The story suggests that God is working behind the scenes to help those who are in need. Do you want me to explain any of these points further or perhaps delve into a specific aspect of this verse? For example, we could talk about: The context of the story – why was Esther in this situation? The symbolism behind the "half of the kingdom" - what does it represent?