Harbona was one of the seven eunuchs who had been tasked to bring Queen Vashti to the banquet (Esther 1:10–11). Perhaps he was also one of the eunuchs sent to escort Haman to Esther’s second banquet (Esther 6:14). In that case, he would have seen the high gallows standing next to Haman’s house. He also came to hear of its intended use, perhaps from a servant of Haman’s.
Up to now, Harbona has had to bow before Haman (Esther 3:2). Now he saw his chance to humiliate Haman further, and to help bring justice to Mordecai. He told the king of Haman’s intention to execute Mordecai, the man whose loyalty had been brought to the king’s attention only the night before. The king responded without hesitation. Haman had to be hanged on his own gallows.
9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king, said, “Moreover, the gallows that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, whose word saved the king, is standing at Haman’s house, fifty cubits high.”