Haman

1After this, King Ahasuerus gave Haman a big honor. Haman was the son of Hammedatha, from a family called the Agagites. The king made Haman more important than all his other leaders.

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.

NoteAn Agagite came from the family of Agag. Agag was a king long ago whose people fought the Jews. So the name told everyone that Haman's family and Mordecai's family were old enemies.

2All the king's workers at the palace gate bowed low to Haman. They showed him great respect, because the king had ordered it. But Mordecai would not bow. He would not honor Haman at all.

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.

NoteBack then people bowed all the way down to the ground. They touched their face to the dirt in front of a great man. It was how you showed someone was far above you.

3The king's workers at the gate asked Mordecai a question. They said, "Why do you disobey the king's order?"

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

4They said this to him day after day, but he would not listen. So they told Haman about it. They wanted to see if Mordecai would be allowed to keep doing this. Mordecai had told them he was a Jew.

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.

NoteA Jew is a person from the family of Israel. Long before this, their country was taken over. Many Jews then lived far from home, in other lands, like Mordecai did.

5Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow or honor him. This made Haman very, very angry.

And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.

6Haman learned which people Mordecai belonged to. Then hurting only Mordecai seemed too small to him. So Haman planned to destroy every Jew in the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus. They were Mordecai's people.

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.

7It was the twelfth year that Ahasuerus was king. In the first month, the month of Nisan, they cast lots in front of Haman. They did this to pick a day and a month. The lot landed on the twelfth month, the month of Adar.

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.

NoteTo cast lots was a way to pick a day by chance. People threw small stones or sticks and watched how they fell. It is a little like rolling dice today.

8Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people spread all through your kingdom. They live among your people in every province. Their rules are different from everyone else's. They do not obey your laws. It is not good for you to let them stay.

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.

NoteA province was one big piece of the kingdom, like a state. Each one had its own governor to run it for the king.

9"If it pleases the king, write an order to destroy them. I will pay ten thousand bags of silver into your treasury. That money can pay the men who do the work."

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.

NoteTen thousand bags of silver was more money than anyone could count. Each bag weighed about as much as a big dog. It was a huge pile, far more than one person could ever earn.

10The king pulled off the special ring he used to stamp orders. He gave it to Haman, son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, who hated the Jews.

And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.

NoteThe king's ring had his mark carved into it. He pressed it into soft wax to close a letter. That mark showed the order really came from him. Giving the ring away gave Haman the right to write orders for the king.

11The king said to Haman, "Keep your silver. And these people are yours. Do with them whatever you think is best."

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.

12On the thirteenth day of the first month, the king's writers were called in. They wrote down everything Haman told them to write. The orders went to the king's chief officers, to the governors of every province, and to the leaders of each group of people. Each letter was written in that province's own writing and language. The letters used King Ahasuerus's name and were stamped with his ring.

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.

NoteThe king's writers made copies of the order by hand. There was no printing then, so every letter was written out. The kingdom had many peoples who spoke many languages, so each letter was made in a language those people could read.

13Messengers carried the letters to every province of the king. The letters said to destroy and kill all the Jews. That meant young and old, little children and women, all on one day. That day was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. Their belongings were to be taken too.

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.

NoteMessengers rode fast horses from town to town. That was the quickest way to send news back then.

14A copy of the order was to be sent to every province. It was read out loud so all the people would know. Then everyone would be ready when that day came.

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.

15The messengers hurried out because the king had ordered it. The order was announced in the palace at Shushan. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink. But the whole city of Shushan was upset and confused.

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.

NoteShushan was the city where the king lived. The palace was a strong fort at the top of the city.

1Mordecai found out everything that had happened. He tore his clothes in sorrow. He put on rough sackcloth and ashes. Then he walked into the middle of the city, crying out loudly and bitterly.

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;

NoteMordecai was Esther's older cousin. He took care of her after her parents died. Sackcloth was rough, scratchy cloth, a bit like a sack. People put it on to show they were very sad. Tearing your clothes and sitting in ashes showed sorrow too. Anyone who saw you knew that something terrible had happened.

2He came as far as the king's gate. He could go no farther. No one wearing sackcloth was allowed to go in through that gate.

And came even before the king’s gate: for none might enter into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.

NoteThe king's gate was not just a doorway. It was where the king's helpers sat and did their work. Sad clothes were not allowed to come inside it. The king was meant to see only cheerful things.

3The king's order went out to every province, or region. Everywhere it came, the Jews were very sad. They fasted, which means they went without food. They cried and wailed. Many of them lay down in sackcloth and ashes.

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.

NoteThe Jews were God's people. Their homeland was far away from here. Many of them now lived in this king's lands. The king's order said that all of them would be killed.

4Esther's maids and palace servants came and told her about Mordecai. The queen was filled with sorrow. She sent clothes for Mordecai to wear instead of the sackcloth. But he would not take them.

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 it not.

NoteEsther was the queen, and she was also a Jew. Nobody in the palace knew that yet. Mordecai had told her to keep it secret.

5Then Esther called for Hatach. He was one of the palace servants the king had picked to help her. She told him to go to Mordecai. He was to ask what was wrong and why.

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.

6So Hatach went out to Mordecai. He found him in the open square of the city, right in front of the king's gate.

So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king’s gate.

7Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him. He even told the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the king's treasury to have the Jews destroyed.

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.

NoteHaman was the king's most important helper. He hated Mordecai and all the Jews. He had offered the king a huge pile of silver for his plan. A treasury is the room where a king keeps his money.

8Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written order made in Shushan to destroy the Jews. Hatach was to show it to Esther and explain it. He was to urge her to go to the king. She should beg him and plead for her people.

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.

NoteShushan was the city where the king's palace stood. When this king wrote an order, it could never be changed. Not even the king himself could take it back.

1On the third day, Esther put on her royal clothes. She went and stood in the inner yard of the palace. It was right across from the king's own rooms. The king was sitting on his royal throne, facing the doorway.

Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.

NoteNobody was allowed to walk in to see this king unless he sent for them. Coming without being asked could get you killed. Esther came anyway. The "third day" means she had waited and gone without food for three days first. A palace is the king's very big house.

2When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the yard, he was pleased with her. He held out the golden scepter in his hand toward her. Esther came close and touched the tip of it.

And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

NoteA "sceptre" is a fancy gold rod a king holds. It shows that he is the ruler. When the king pointed it at Esther, it meant she was safe. Touching the tip was how she said thank you.

3The king said to her, "What is it, Queen Esther? What do you want to ask me for? I would give you even half of my kingdom."

Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.

Note"Even half of my kingdom" was just a way of saying, "Ask me for anything." The king did not really plan to give away half his land.

4Esther answered, "If it pleases the king, please come today to a special meal I have made for you. And please bring Haman with you."

And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.

NoteThe king James Bible calls this meal a "banquet." That is a big, fancy dinner party with lots of food.

5The king said, "Bring Haman quickly, so we can do what Esther asked." So the king and Haman went to the meal Esther had made.

Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

6While they were drinking their wine, the king asked Esther, "What do you want? I will give it to you. What are you asking for? I would give you even half of my kingdom."

And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

NoteAt a banquet, the wine was poured after the food was eaten. That was the friendly part of the evening, when people talked and asked for things.

7Esther answered, "Here is what I want to ask for.

Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;

8"If the king is pleased with me, and wants to give me what I ask, then please come again tomorrow. Come with Haman to another meal I will make for you. Then I will tell the king what I want."

If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.

9That day Haman went out feeling happy and glad. But at the king's gate he saw Mordecai. Mordecai did not stand up or act afraid of him at all. So Haman was filled with anger at Mordecai.

Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.

NoteThe king's gate was the big doorway of the palace. The king's workers sat there and did their jobs. Mordecai worked there. When an important man walked by, people were supposed to stand up and bow. Mordecai would not do that for Haman.

10Even so, Haman held his anger in. He went home and sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh.

Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.

11Haman told them how rich he was and how many sons he had. He told them all the ways the king had honored him. The king had made him more important than all the other leaders and servants.

And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

NoteBack then, having many sons made a man look important and lucky. So Haman bragged about his sons the same way he bragged about his money.

12Haman also said, "And that is not all. Queen Esther invited no one but me to eat with the king. Tomorrow she has invited me to come again with the king.

Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.

13"But none of this makes me happy. Not while I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."

Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.

NoteThe Jews were God's people. Their home was the land of Israel, far away. Armies had carried many of them off to live in Persia, where this story happens. Mordecai was one of them.

14His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Have a tall wooden pole built for hanging a man. Make it fifty cubits high. In the morning, ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go to the meal with the king and enjoy yourself." Haman liked this idea, so he had the pole built.

Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.

NoteA cubit is about as long as a grown-up's arm from the elbow to the fingertips. That is around eighteen inches. Fifty cubits is about seventy-five feet, taller than most houses. Hanging a man that high was meant to shame him where everyone could see.

1That night the king could not sleep. So he asked for the book of records. It told about things that had happened in his kingdom. His servants read it out loud to him.

On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.

NoteThe book of records was a long scroll. Servants wrote down what happened in the kingdom. A king could look back and see who had helped him.

2The book said that Mordecai had once told about Bigthana and Teresh. They were two of the king's servants who guarded his door. They had planned to kill King Ahasuerus.

And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.

NoteKing Ahasuerus ruled Persia, a very big country long ago. Some Bibles call him Xerxes. The men who guarded his door were trusted servants who stayed close to him.

3The king asked, "What good thing was given to Mordecai for this?" The servants who waited on him said, "Nothing was done for him."

And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.

NoteTo honor someone means to show everyone that they did something good. A king might give a gift, a prize, or a special job.

4The king asked, "Who is out in the courtyard?" Just then Haman came into the outer courtyard of the palace. He wanted to ask the king to hang Mordecai on the tall wooden pole he had built.

And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king’s house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.

NoteA courtyard is an open space inside the palace walls. The tall wooden pole was used to kill people. Haman had built one because he hated Mordecai.

5The king's servants said, "Haman is standing in the courtyard." The king said, "Bring him in."

And the king’s servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.

6So Haman came in. The king asked him, "What should be done for a man the king wants to honor?" Haman thought to himself, "Who would the king want to honor more than me?"

So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?

7So Haman said to the king, "Here is what to do for the man the king wants to honor.

And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,

8Bring out a royal robe that the king himself has worn. Bring a horse the king himself has ridden. A royal crown had been set on its head.

Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:

NoteOnly a king wore a royal robe. Riding the king's own horse was a great honor. A crest is a special decoration. It showed that the horse belonged to the king. A crown is a special hat that a king wears.

9Give the robe and the horse to one of the king's highest officials. Let him dress the man the king wants to honor. Then let him lead the man on the horse through the city square. Someone should call out, 'This is what is done for the man the king wants to honor!'"

And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

NoteThe city square was an open place where crowds gathered. Everyone standing there would see the man and hear the shouting.

10Then the king said to Haman, "Hurry. Do just what you said. Take the robe and the horse to Mordecai the Jew. He is sitting at the king's gate. Leave out nothing that you said."

Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king’s gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.

NoteThe Jews were God's people. Their home was a land far away called Judah. Many had been taken from home and now lived in Persia. Mordecai was one of them. The king's gate was where the king's workers sat and did his business.

11So Haman took the robe and the horse. He dressed Mordecai in the robe. He led him on the horse through the city square. He called out, "This is what is done for the man the king wants to honor!"

Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

12Then Mordecai went back to the king's gate. But Haman hurried home with his head covered. He was full of sadness and shame.

And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.

NoteLong ago people covered their heads when they felt very sad or ashamed. It let others see how they felt inside.

13Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, "Mordecai is a Jew. You have already started to fall in front of him. You will not win against him. You will surely fall."

And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.

NoteAdvisers were people whose job was to help someone decide what to do. Here, to fall means to lose, not to trip and land on the ground.

14They were still talking with him when the king's servants came. They hurried Haman away to the dinner Esther had made ready.

And while they were yet talking with him, came the king’s chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.

NoteEsther was the queen. She had already invited the king and Haman to a special dinner.

1So the king and Haman came to eat the meal Esther had made.

So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.

NoteA banquet was a big special meal with lots of food and drink. Haman was the king's most important helper, and everyone had to bow to him.

2While they drank their wine on this second day, the king asked again. "Queen Esther, what do you want? I will give it to you. What are you asking for? I will do it, even if you ask for half my kingdom."

And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.

NoteThe King James says "petition" and "request." Both words just mean something you ask for. "Even to the half of the kingdom" was a king's fancy way of saying he would give almost anything. He did not really plan to hand over half his land.

3Queen Esther answered him. "King, if you are pleased with me, and if it seems good to you, then this is what I ask. Please let me live. And please let my people live too.

Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:

Note"If I have found favour in thy sight" is an old way of saying "if you like me." Esther's people were the Jews. The king did not know that Esther was a Jew, because she had kept it secret.

4Someone has sold me and my people to be killed. Every one of us is meant to die. If we had only been sold to be servants, I would have stayed quiet. That trouble would not have been worth bothering you about."

For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage.

NoteHaman had promised the king a huge pile of silver for the chance to kill the Jews. That is why Esther says her people were "sold." The King James word "bondmen" means slaves, people who are owned and must work without pay. Esther says even that would not have been worth bothering the king about.

5Then King Ahasuerus asked Queen Esther a question. "Who is this man? Where is he? Who would dare to plan such a thing?"

Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?

NoteAhasuerus is also called Xerxes. He was king of Persia, a very big country far away, long ago. The King James words "durst presume in his heart" mean "dared to plan such a thing."

6Esther said, "The one against us is this wicked man, Haman!" Then Haman was terrified in front of the king and queen.

And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.

Note"Adversary" is an old word for someone who works against you. It means enemy.

7The king was very angry. He got up from his wine and went out to the palace garden. Haman stayed behind and begged Queen Esther to spare his life. He could see the king had already decided something terrible for him.

And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.

NoteThe palace had a big garden right outside the room where they ate. Haman stayed behind because only the king or the queen could save him now.

8The king came back in from the garden to the room where they had been eating. Haman had thrown himself down on the couch where Esther was resting. The king said, "Will he even attack the queen while I am here in the house?" As soon as the king said this, servants covered Haman's face.

Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

NoteAt big meals in those days, people lay down on long couches to eat. They did not sit on chairs. So Esther was lying on a couch, and Haman threw himself down beside her to beg. The king walked in and thought Haman was hurting her. Covering someone's face was a sign that the person was about to be killed.

9Harbonah was one of the king's servants who worked close to him. He said, "There is also a tall wooden pole standing at Haman's house. It is fifty cubits high. Haman built it to hang Mordecai on. And Mordecai is the one who warned the king and saved him." The king said, "Hang Haman on it!"

And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.

NoteThe King James calls Harbonah a "chamberlain." That means a servant who worked inside the palace, close to the king. A cubit is about as long as a grown-up's arm from elbow to fingertips, around eighteen inches. Fifty cubits is about seventy-five feet, taller than most houses. The King James word "gallows" means a tall wooden frame or pole used to kill people. Mordecai was Esther's cousin, and he had raised her like a father. Earlier he had heard about a plan to hurt the king and warned him.

10So they hanged Haman on the pole he had built for Mordecai. Then the king was not angry anymore.

So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.