1After 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 . 2And all the king ’s servants , that were in the king ’s gate , bowed down , and did reverence to Haman ; for the king had so commanded concerning him . But Mordecai bowed not down , nor did him reverence . 3Then the king ’s servants , that were in the king ’s gate , said unto Mordecai , Why transgressest thou the king ’s commandment ? 4Now 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 . 5And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not down , nor did him reverence , then was Haman full of wrath .
The Refusal of Mordecai
6But he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had made known to 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 . 7In the first month , which 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 , which is the month Adar. 8And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of thy kingdom ; and their laws are diverse from those of every people ; neither keep they the king ’s laws : therefore it is not for the king ’s profit to suffer them . 9If it please the king , let it be written that they be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those that have the charge of the king’s business , to bring it into the king ’s treasuries .
Haman's Plot Against the Jews
10And the king took his ring from his hand , and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews ’ enemy . 11And the king said unto Haman , The silver is given to thee , the people also , to do with them as it seemeth good to thee . 12Then were the king ’s scribes called in the first month , on the thirteenth day thereof ; and there was written according to all that Haman commanded unto the king ’s satraps, and to the governors that were over every province , and to the princes of every people , to every province according to the writing thereof , and to every people after their language ; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written , and it was sealed with the king ’s ring . 13And letters were sent by posts into all the king ’s provinces , to destroy , to slay , 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 . 14A copy of the writing , that the decree should be given out in every province , was published unto all the peoples , that they should be ready against that day . 15The posts went forth in haste by the king ’s commandment , and the decree was given out in Shushan the palace . And the king and Haman sat down to drink ; but the city of Shushan was perplexed.