Esther 3:1

CHAPTER III

Ahasuerus exalts Haman the Agagite, and commands all his

officers to do him reverence, which Mordecai refuses, 1-3.

Haman, informed of Mordecai's refusal, plots his destruction,

and that of the Jews, 4-6.

Lots are cast to find out the proper time, 7.

Haman accuses the Jews to Ahasuerus, counsels him to destroy

them, and offers ten thousand talents of silver for the damage

which the revenue might sustain by their destruction, 8, 9.

The king refuses the money, but gives Haman full authority to

destroy them, 10, 11.

Letters are written to this effect, and sent to the king's

lieutenants throughout the empire, and the thirteenth day of

the month Adar is appointed for the massacre, 12-15.

NOTES ON CHAP. III

Verse Esther 3:1. Haman - the Agagite] Perhaps he was some descendant of that Agag, king of the Amalekites, spared by Saul, but destroyed by Samuel; and on this ground might have an antipathy to the Jews.

Set his seat above all the princes] Made him his prime minister, and put all the officers of state under his direction.