Esther 3:1 ¶ After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.
Esther 3:2 And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
Sometime later, King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, an Agagite, to the position of his top advisor. All the king’s servants that served in the king’s gate bowed before Haman as ordered by the king except Mordecai.
John Gill explains that this acknowledgement of Haman must have been more than just an act of acknowledgement of his position. He thinks that the king “gave him divine honours, as to a deity; for such were given to the kings of Persia, and might be given to their favourites, and seems to be the case….it was not mere civil honour and respect, for that in course would have been given him as the king's favourite and prime minister by all his servants, without an express order for it; this, therefore, must be something uncommon and extraordinary….nor can it be thought that Mordecai would refuse to give it from pride and sullenness, and thereby risk the king's displeasure, the loss of his office, and the ruin of his nation; but it was such kind of reverence to a man, and worship of him, which was contrary to his conscience, and the law of his God.”
Of significance in this story is the fact that Haman is an Agagite, a descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites. This must be the case or Haman would just have been identified as an Amalekite. These were the people that Saul had been instructed to destroy ever so many years earlier.
1 Samuel 15:1–3 “Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.”
Sad to say, Saul did not obey the LORD; he spared the king.
1 Samuel 15:8–9 “And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag….”
It was this sin that caused the LORD to reject Saul as king.
1 Samuel 15:28 “And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.”
Eventually, the prophet Samuel killed Agag.
1 Samuel 15:32–33 “Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past. And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.”
It seems that at least one Agag’s children survived, one from whom this wicked Haman was descended. I’m sure he had been raised to despise the Jews—much like the Palestinian children and other Muslim children today.
Esther 3:3 Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment?
Esther 3:4 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.
Esther 3:5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
Esther 3:6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
The other servants that sat in the gate with Mordecai asked him why he disobeyed the king’s command. After he refused to answer them for several days, they informed on Mordecai to Haman to see what would happen. It seems that Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew thinking that would be answer enough for them since Jews were only to show such reverence to the LORD.
When Haman saw that Mordecai refused to bow before him, he became very angry. He wasn’t content to destroy Mordecai, he decided to destroy all the Jews throughout the kingdom. His motivation was likely strengthened in light of the history recorded above concerning his heritage.
Esther 3:7 ¶ In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they 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.
The NIV translation is a bit clearer: “In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, they cast the pur (that is, the lot) in the presence of Haman to select a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar.”
In other words, they cast lots to determine when would be the best time to achieve his revenge.
JFB notes: “Haman acted as the kings and nobles of Persia have always done, never engaging in any enterprise without consulting the astrologers, and being satisfied as to the lucky hour.”
Note the time marker; this is the 12th year of the king’s reign, a little over four years after Esther was made queen.
Esther 3:8 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 their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them.
Esther 3:9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will 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.
Haman proceeded to present his plan to the king. He told Ahasuerus that there was a specific group of people throughout the kingdom that lived according to a unique set of laws; they did not keep the king’s laws, and that was not to the king’s benefit. He proposed that a decree be written to destroy these people. He even offered to provide 10,000 talents of silver to the king’s treasuries to pay those hired to kill these people.
According to the NIV Commentary this was about 375 tons of silver.
Esther 3:10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.
Esther 3:11 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.
The king took off his signet ring and gave it to Haman, the enemy of the Jews. He basically told Haman to keep his money; he would supply the money and as many men as needed to do as he proposed. The king didn’t even bother to ask who these people were or verify the truth of Haman’s allegations. Even had he asked, he still did not know that Esther was a Jew.
Esther 3:12 Then were the king’s 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 wereover every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring.
Esther 3:13 And the letters were sent 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, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.
Esther 3:14 The 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.
Esther 3:15 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 the city Shushan was perplexed.
The king’s scribes were called on the 13th day of the first month to write the decree according to Haman’s command. It was addressed to the rulers of every province in the language of the people of that province in the name of the king and sealed with his ring. The letters were sent by post to all 127 provinces authorizing the destruction of all Jews, young and old, including women and children, on the 13th day of the 12th month of Adar. After killing the Jews, they were to take possession of what they left behind. The decree was made known to all the people, so they could prepare. Delivery of the post was expedited according to the king’s command.
It seems odd to me that the decree would be published so far in advance; the day scheduled for this mass genocide was eleven months later. Why such a rush to get the edict delivered?
When the decree was made known in Shushan, the people were puzzled; they didn’t understand the reason for it. Obviously, there were no problems in the city as implied by Haman’s complaint to the king. The king and Haman were oblivious to the response of the people.
Esther 4:1 ¶ When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
Esther 4:2 And came even before the king’s gate: for none might enter into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.
Esther 4:3 And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
When Mordecai learned about all Haman’s treachery, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth with ashes as a sign of great distress. He went out into the street in front of the king’s gate, crying loudly and bitterly. He couldn’t take his normal position in the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth.
As the king’s decree was publicized in each province, there was great distress among the Jews. They fasted and cried out loudly and mournfully; many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
sackcloth = coarse material used to bag grain
According to Eerdman’s: “In the postexilic period fasting was used as a means of calling on God’s direct assistance when the community was in great danger.”
Though God’s name is not mentioned in the book of Esther, I think this is the first implied reference to Him.
Esther 4:4 So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received itnot.
Esther 4:5 ¶ Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king’s chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.
Esther’s servants informed her of Mordecai’s actions, as I am sure he intended when he took up his position in front of the king’s gate and made such a loud, conspicuous display of himself. The queen was greatly distressed and sent clothing to Mordecai, urging him to put off the sackcloth; but he would not. Esther then called for Hatach, one of the king’s chamberlains assigned to her, and sent him to Mordecai to get an explanation for his actions.
Esther 4:6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king’s gate.
Esther 4:7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.
Esther 4:8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.
Esther 4:9 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
Hatach went to see Mordecai. He told the servant all that had happened to him and how Haman had promised to pay the king’s treasuries a huge sum of money to accomplish his purpose of killing the Jews. I don’t believe that this was published in the decree, so he must have had informants from within the palace.
He also gave Hatach a copy of the decree to show to Esther and explain it to her. He told him to tell Esther that she should go in to the king to intercede for her people. Hatach delivered Mordecai’s message.
If Hatach didn’t already know, he now knew that Esther was a Jew.
Esther 4:10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;
Esther 4:11 All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
Esther gave Hatach another message to deliver to Mordecai. It was to inform him that no person is allowed to go before the king in his inner court without being called. The penalty of disobedience was death unless the king held out the golden scepter in pardon and permission. She then admitted that she had not been called to see the king for 30 days, implying that she may have fallen out of his favor.
Esther was basically saying, “If I go before the king, I may die.” Her focus was on self—not on her people. She evidently hadn’t thought it through to the point that she would be a victim of the decree as well.
We are so blessed to know that in Jesus we can boldly approach the throne of our King, the throne of grace.
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Esther 4:12 And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words.
Esther 4:13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.
Esther 4:14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Esther’s message was delivered to Mordecai, and he responded sternly. He basically told her that her life was forfeit anyway if she did not go to the king. He confidently declared that if she refused to help, deliverance and rescue for the Jews would come from another source. She and her father’s house, however, would be destroyed. He then basically reminded her of God’s sovereignty; he told her that maybe she was in her position for just this time.
Mordecai knew that God had made a covenant with Abraham that He would not break; he knew the people of Israel had an eternal future.
Genesis 17:5–8 “Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee….And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”
I believe he was also thinking of Joseph, who realized that God had used what had happened in his life to raise him to power to provide deliverance for his people.
Genesis 50:19–20 “And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”
Again, though God is not mentioned outright, His sovereignty is definitely in reference.
Courson: “And the same is true of you, dear saint. You are where you are because God is in the shadows, steering the ship of your life. God is in control and He’s placed you in your location for such a time as this because there are people for you to minister to, lives for you to touch, and work for you to do. Nothing is accidental to the child of God. Even if your situation seems difficult, the Lord has you right where He wants you to be.”
Esther 4:15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
Esther 4:16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
Esther 4:17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
Esther answered Mordecai by telling him to gather together all the Jews in Shushan and call for a three-day fast for her—a complete fast of no food or drink. She promised that she and her maid servants would do the same. After that she would go to see the king in spite of the law; if she dies, so be it. In other words, I think she is saying that she will put herself in God’s hands.
Though it is not stated, I believe that fasting and prayer were so connected in Jewish practice that for Esther to call for fasting included a call for prayer.
2 Samuel 12:16 “David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted….”
Nehemiah 1:4 “And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven….”
Daniel 9:3 “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes…”
Joel 1:14 “Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD….”
Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther had commanded.
Gill makes an interesting observation about the timing of this fast. “…the letter being written on the thirteenth of Nisan (cf 3:12) the next day was the passover, on which he supposes the fast began; and the three days were, the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth of the month, and belonged to the feast of the passover and of unleavened bread….”