⁴ This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.

³² Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death,^(A) they not only continue to do these very things but also approve^(B) of those who practice them.

¹⁴ His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits,^[a](A) and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled^(B) on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.

²¹ The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed.

⁴ The plan seemed right both to the king and to the whole assembly.

²¹ Saul replied, “The Lord bless^(A) you for your concern^(B) for me.

²⁰ Now Saul’s daughter Michal^(A) was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased.^{(B) 21} “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare^(C) to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.”