Haman's Plot

In the city of Susa during the reign of King Ahasuerus, the king promoted Haman the Agagite and commanded all servants to bow down to him. Mordecai, a Jew, refused to bow or pay him homage. When Haman was told that Mordecai was a Jew, he sought to destroy all the Jewish people throughout the kingdom of Ahasuerus (Esther 3:5-6). In the twelfth year of the king's reign, Haman cast lots, or Pur, to determine the day and month for this action. Haman told King Ahasuerus that there was a certain people scattered among the provinces whose laws were different and who did not keep the king's laws. The king gave Haman his signet ring and authorized him to do with the people as he saw fit. Letters were sent by couriers to all provinces to destroy, kill, and annihilate all Jews on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (Esther 3:12-13).

When Mordecai learned of the decree, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes. He sent word to Queen Esther through Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs, charging her to go to the king to make supplication for her people. Esther replied that any person who approached the king in the inner court without being called would be put to death unless the king held out the golden scepter. Mordecai told her that if she remained silent, relief would arise for the Jews from another place, but she and her father's house would perish (Esther 4:13-14). Esther then requested that all Jews in Susa fast for three days, after which she would go to the king, stating, "if I perish, I perish."

On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace. When the king saw her, he held out the golden scepter, and Esther approached to touch the tip of it (Esther 5:2). The king asked what she desired, offering up to half the kingdom. Esther requested that the king and Haman come to a banquet she had prepared. At the banquet, the king again asked for her petition, and Esther invited them to a second banquet the following day. Haman left joyful, but upon seeing Mordecai at the king's gate, he became filled with indignation. Following the advice of his wife Zeresh and his friends, Haman had a gallows fifty cubits high constructed to hang Mordecai (Esther 5:14).