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.

2 And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: [ He wants his respect and adoration of the people below him. ] for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.

3 Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment?

4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, [ They challenged the fact that he did not bow to Haman on a daily basis. ] and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he [ Mordecai. ] had told them that he was a Jew. [ Opposite of the council that he had given Ester. So he is implying that because he is a Jew he will only bow before the God of Israel, and certainly not a mere mortal. ]

5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. [ Well sure he was this is how he see's himself, the object of reverence of every subject in the land. If you do not bow to me then you disrespect me. Yep that is going to get him going. ]

6 And he [ Haman. ] 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 [ So he not going to just get even with Mordecai he is going to try to get way ahead by blowing this thing out of proportion. You see if Mordecai is going to stand up to me then I have to assume that many if not all of his people will do the same. ] that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

7 ¶ In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, [ How they cast lot's at that time, Today we do the shortest straw and those kind of things. ] that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, [ So he is going to cast lot's as to the best date to destroy Mordecai and his people. The idea is that the Gods will influence the process of casting lot's and will then direct to him the best time to accomplish the desired end. ] and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.

8 ¶ And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people [ He does not want to name them at first but rather build the contempt for this group of people in the kings eyes first, without knowing who it is. So he can present the ideas, then get a judgement against this group, then tell the king who they are after the sentence is passed. He does not call them out specifically as I think that he knows that the King would not come to the same conclusion if he knew that Haman was talking about the Jews, as in his eye's he does not see them as law breaking, but rather law abiding. ] in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; [ Or they are really different. ] neither keep they the king’s laws: [ They are rule breakers, suggesting that they feel that they are above the Kings laws. They are not loyal to you. ] therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them. [ There is no reason to keep them around, as you do not benefit from them at all. ]

9 If it please the king, let it be written [ You know with one of those laws that is non-revokable after the King makes it. ] 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, [ So Haman see's this as an investment. Here is what we will do we will pay others to kill the Jews. Then once a Jew is dead we will take over all of his possessions and his business, his home, everything. The sum that we collect from all that the Jews own will be greater than what we will pay to have them destroyed. Win Win for Haman. ] to bring it into the king’s treasuries.

10  And the king took his ring from his hand, [ So all of this sounds good to the King, so he give Haman the ring which is kind of his seal of approval. ] and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.

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 tells Haman do whatever you need to do, whatever seems good to you just do it. It might not have been a good idea to ask a few more questions don't you think? ]

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 were over 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.

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, [ Genecide. Whatever language you choose to use it is still death to every Jew. ] both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day [ Apparently the day on which the lot fell. vs 7. ] of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.

14  The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, [ He was very diligent in distribution of the declaration to insure that every Jew was destroyed on that day. Not only do you have royal permission to do this but it is a royal command. ] that they should be ready against that day.

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 people of the city are left scratching their heads, the jews? what did they do, why would we be doing this to them? This does not make a lot of sense to us. We don't see how they are a problem. ]