Here we have another remarkable example of how God controls the hearts of kings ( Esther 5:2; Proverbs 21:1; cf. Genesis 39-41; Ezra 1:1-4; Nehemiah 2; Daniel 2; Daniel 3; Daniel 4; Daniel 5; Acts 2:23). "To half of the kingdom" ( Esther 5:3) is hyperbole and means, "I will grant even a very large request" (cf. Esther 5:6; Esther 7:2; Mark 6:22-23). Esther must have had a very good reason for postponing her request of the king ( Esther 5:8), since delaying it opened the door to any number of complications. For example, the king"s mood might have changed, or Haman might have discovered the reason for the banquet. [source][source][source]
Esther"s "procedure is part of a shrewd and deliberate plan in which Esther is taking the initiative and determining the course of events, as a close reading of the narrative will clearly show." [1][source]
"What Esther did ranks among the great deeds of faith in Scripture and could have been recorded in Hebrews 11." [2][source]
"The spiritual application to the gospel message is remarkable. Because of our sin, we cannot enter the presence of an infinitely holy God. But this same God, in His incomparable love and grace, has provided a plan whereby even the worst of sinners may enter His presence and touch, as it were, His golden scepter." [3][source]