Haman Persuades The King to Kill All Jews
November 25, 2022
Commentary
We are now introduced to the villain of the story, Haman, who becomes the archenemy of Mordecai, Esther, and the Jewish nation (v. 1). King Ahasuerus evidently did not like to perform the details of government, so he had handed over to Haman the day-to-day work of ruling (v. 2). Haman had been promoted to a position of second in the kingdom. It was customary to show reverence to his position by bowing in his presence. Everyone was submissive to this authority and position except Mordecai. When the officials asked him why he disobeyed the king’s command, he said, “Because I am a Jew” (vv. 3-4). This made Haman very angry and caused him to plan the destruction of Mordecai (v. 5). He could have easily rid himself of that one unyielding Jew, but he equated Mordecai with the whole Jewish race and decided to destroy Jews throughout the kingdom (v. 6).
Haman said the Jewish people were a threat to the entire kingdom and drafted a decree for their destruction, which the king approved and sealed with his ring (vv. 7-12). It was decided that all Jews were to die on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month and their property and lands were to be taken (v. 13). Haman used the well-known Persian postal system, which was an ancient pony express, to get this message to the entire kingdom quickly (v. 14). The King’s command was obeyed and one of the letters was read to the people of the walled city of Susa. Many of the people were stunned by this shocking news (v. 15).
Application
God says I am to overcome prejudice in my heart and put away all wrath, malice, and slander. I should be kind to others, tender hearted, forgiving them, even as God, for Christ’s sake, has forgiven me. (Eph. 4:31-32).
Esther 3:1– 15 (NET)
1 Some time later King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, exalting him and setting his position above that of all the officials who were with him. 2 As a result, all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate were bowing and paying homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded. However, Mordecai did not bow, nor did he pay him homage.
3 Then the servants of the king who were at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why are you violating the king’s commandment?” 4 And after they had spoken to him day after day without his paying any attention to them, they informed Haman to see whether this attitude on Mordecai’s part would be permitted. Furthermore, he had disclosed to them that he was a Jew.
5 When Haman saw that Mordecai was not bowing or paying homage to him, he was filled with rage. 6 But the thought of striking out against Mordecai alone was repugnant to him, for he had been informed of the identity of Mordecai’s people. So Haman sought to destroy all the Jews (that is, the people of Mordecai) who were in all the kingdom of Ahasuerus.
7 In the first month (that is, the month of Nisan), in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus’ reign, pur (that is, the lot) was cast before Haman in order to determine a day and a month. It turned out to be the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar).
8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a particular people that is dispersed and spread among the inhabitants throughout all the provinces of your kingdom whose laws differ from those of all other peoples. Furthermore, they do not observe the king’s laws. It is not appropriate for the king to provide a haven for them. 9 If the king is so inclined, let an edict be issued to destroy them. I will pay 10,000 talents of silver to be conveyed to the king’s treasuries for the officials who carry out this business.”
10 So the king removed his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, who was hostile toward the Jews. 11 The king replied to Haman, “Keep your money, and do with those people whatever you wish.”
12 So the royal scribes were summoned in the first month, on the thirteenth day of the month. Everything Haman commanded was written to the king’s satraps and governors who were in every province and to the officials of every people, province by province according to its script and people by people according to their language. In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written and sealed with the king’s signet ring. 13 Letters were sent by the runners to all the king’s provinces stating that they should destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews, from youth to elderly, both women and children, on a particular day, namely the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar), and to loot and plunder their possessions. 14 A copy of this edict was to be presented as law throughout every province; it was to be made known to all the inhabitants, so that they would be prepared for this day. 15 The messengers scurried forth with the king’s order. The edict was issued in Susa the citadel. While the king and Haman sat down to drink, the city of Susa was in an uproar.
Illustration: Give Yourself Time to Cool Off When Angry
The story is told of a young man who had been cruelly insulted by a former acquaintance. Full of indignation, he determined to go at once and demand an apology. A saintly gentleman laid his hand on his shoulder and said quietly, “Son, let me give you a word of advice. An insult is like mud: it will brush off much better when it is dry! Wait until you both have cooled off, and then the thing can probably be settled quickly. If you go now, you’ll quarrel even more.” The young man heeded the kind suggestion. Before long he found out how wise it had been, for the next day the offending party came and begged his forgiveness. (H. G. Bosch, Our Daily Bread)