3:1 - This is the first time Haman is mentioned and he has
been given a position of honor and recognition by the king. No reason is given
but his appointment is certainly treated seriously by the kingdom. He is described
as the son of Hammedatha the Agagite and is probably an Amalekite and a descendant of king Agag. King Agag was an enemy of Israel during Saul’s reign (1 Sam. 15:7-33). The Amalekites themselves were enemies of the Jews from as far back as Ex. 17:8-14. The kingdom was taken from Saul because he did not totally destroy the Amalekites as God commanded, but
he spared king Agag (1Sam. 15:23). Now, this disobedient act is still haunting
the people of Israel. In the setting here, about four years have elapsed since
Esther was named queen. Haman is elevated to this high position. Now 500 years after the Benjamite Saul led the battle against Agag the Amalekite, Mordecai the Benjamite
will continue to defend Israel from the Amalekites via Haman.
3:2-4 - The Israelites were used to honoring a king and bowing down to those
in authority (see. 1 Sam. 24:8; 2 Sam. 14:4; 1 Kings 1:16 – Gen. 23:7; 33:3; 44:14).
Yet, Mordecai refused to kneel before Haman. Even though officials advised
and warned Mordecai, he refused to honor Haman. The only reason given is that
he is a Jew. These types of rebellious actions were always looked at with paranoia, and
others would likely think that Mordecai refused for personal reasons (he a Benjamite, and Haman a descendant of Agag).
3:5-6
- Haman is enraged at Mordecai’s insolence and he plots to not just
punish Mordecai but to destroy completely all the Jews. This is an ironic twist
to God’s plan for Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites.
3:7 - They cast the “pur” or cast lots to pick
a day to destroy all the Jews of the kingdom. The word “pur” coincides
with the word “Purim,” the Jewish feast that resulted from this story.
3:8-9 - Haman makes his case before king Xerxes.
He never mentions his dealings with Mordecai, even though this was the major source of irritation. Rather, he describes the Jews in general as a problem people who are different and do not obey the king’s
laws. “It is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them.” He goes one step further and appeals to Xerxes’ greed by offering to put a very
large amount of silver into the king’s treasury for this slaughter to be carried out.
Remember the king was proud of all his wealth (ch. 1).
3:10-11 - Haman’s plan immediately
appealed to the king. Xerxes gave Haman his royal signet ring, which gave Haman
absolute authority to carry out his plan. It was as though the king would be
with Haman physically to condone and order each action. However, Xerxes had no
knowledge that he placed his beautiful wife under Haman’s blanket death sentence.
The king didn’t even accept the offer of silver for the treasury.
3:12-13 - The orders were written
up in each dialect and format and sealed with the king’s signet ring. Couriers
were sent to each province with the advanced warning that all Jews would be killed, destroyed, annihilated on the 13th
day of the 12th month. The decree was established and made known in
all the provinces and in the citadel of Susa. The Jews would be destroyed, “young,
old, women and children,” and their possessions would be plundered.
3:14-15 - The edict was to be made
“law” in every province so they would be “ready for that day.”
This edict was also circulated in the citadel of Susa. No area would escape! Haman knew Mordecai was in the citadel, so even the royal headquarters was included. Then Haman and the king drank together in celebration, but the people were bewildered
at this sudden and barbaric decree. Apparently not everyone shared Haman’s
hatred for the Jews.
