1 Haman's plot against the Jews
1 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Num. 24:7;1 Sam. 15:8Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.
2 And all the king's servants, that were ch. 2:19in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai ver. 5;Ps. 15:4bowed not, nor did him reverence.
3 Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the ver. 2king's commandment?
4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai ver. 2;ch. 5:9bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman Dan. 3:19full of wrath.
6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman Ps. 83:4sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
7 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, ch. 9:24they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.
8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and Ezra 4:13;Acts 16:20their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not [a]for the king's profit to suffer them.
9 If it please the king, let it be written [b]that they may be destroyed: and I will [c]pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.
10 And the king Gen. 41:42took ch. 8:2,8his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' [d]enemy.
11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.
12 ch. 8:9Then were the king's [e]scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province ch. 1:22according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; 1 Ki. 21:8;ch. 8:8,10in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.
13 And the letters were ch. 8:10sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, ch. 8:12in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and ch. 8:11to take the spoil of them for a prey.
14 ch. 8:13,14The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.
15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but See ch. 8:15;Prov. 29:2the city Shushan was perplexed.
16 Mordecai asks Esther for help
