INTRODUCTION: The first two chapters gave the background of the story of Esther. Chapter three reveals the true conflict. Haman was established as the chief of the princes of the Persian Empire. Then Haman, in his hatred of Mordecai, lashed out at all Jews within the realm of the empire.

1. MORDECAI’S REFUSAL TO BOW TO HAMAN (Esther 3:1-5 [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: 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, 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. [5] And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
   See All...)
1. The Promotion of Haman (Esther 3:1After 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.
   See All...)
1. His new position
1. Advanced by the king (Esther 5:11And 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.
   See All...)
2. Into a seat above all the princes (compare to Daniel in Daniel 6:2And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.
   See All...)
2. His personal identity
1. He was the Agagite (Esther 3:1After 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.
   See All...; Numbers 24:7He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 15:7-8 [7] And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt. [8] And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
   See All..., 32-33); Agag was the common title for the king of the Amalekites. A special name for the kings of a nation was common. Compare Abimelech (Genesis 20:1-2 [1] And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar. [2] And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
   See All...; Genesis 26:11And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.
   See All...), Pharaoh (Genesis 41:1And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
   See All...; Exodus 1:22And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.
   See All...), and Caesar (Luke 2:1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
   See All...). Haman may have been of this royal line.
2. He was the Jews’ enemy (Esther 3:10And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.
   See All...; Esther 8:1On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.
   See All...; Esther 9:10The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.
   See All..., 24).
1. The Amalekites were a great enemy of Israel (Exodus 17:13-16 [13] And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. [14] And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. [15] And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: [16] For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
   See All...; Numbers 24:20And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.
   See All...; Deuteronomy 25:17-19 [17] Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; [18] How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God. [19] Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.
   See All...).
2. Saul, who was of the tribe of Benjamin (1 Samuel 9:1-2 [1] Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. [2] And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.
   See All...), refused to destroy the city of Amalek as he was commanded (1 Samuel 15:1-9 [1] Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD. [2] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. [3] Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. [4] And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah. [5] And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley. [6] And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. [7] And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt. [8] And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. [9] But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
   See All...). Agag had to be killed by Samuel (1 Samuel 15:32-33 [32] Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past. [33] And Samuel said, As the sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.
   See All...).
3. Shortly before the death of Saul, David and his men had a battle with the Amalekites (1 Samuel 30:1-6 [1] And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; [2] And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. [3] So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. [4] Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. [5] And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. [6] And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
   See All..., 16-19).
4. An Amalekite claimed to take Saul’s life (2 Samuel 1:1-16 [1] Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag; [2] It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. [3] And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. [4] And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also. [5] And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? [6] And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. [7] And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. [8] And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. [9] He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me. [10] So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord. [11] Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: [12] And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. [13] And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. [14] And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD's anointed? [15] And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. [16] And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD's anointed.
   See All...).
5. Mordecai was of the tribe of Benjamin as was Saul (Esther 2:5Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;
   See All...).
6. The anger between the two lines continued. Mordecai would not bow to Haman. Haman would attempt to destroy the Jews.
2. The Refusal of Mordecai (Esther 3:2-4 [2] 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. [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, 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.
   See All...a)
1. Despite the king’s commandment (Esther 3:2And 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.
   See All...; Acts 5:29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
   See All...)
1. All the king’s servants in the king’s gate
1. They bowed and did reverence to Haman.
2. They did as the king commanded them.
2. Mordecai did not bow or do reverence to Haman.
2. Despite the servants’ pressure (Esther 3:3-4 [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, 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.
   See All...a; Proverbs 1:10My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
   See All...)
1. They rebuked Mordecai (Esther 3:3Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?
   See All...).
2. They reminded Mordecai of the king’s commandment (Esther 3:3Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?
   See All...).
3. They spoke daily to Mordecai of the matter (Esther 3:4Now 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.
   See All...a).
4. Mordecai did not hearken to the servants (Esther 3:4Now 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.
   See All...a).
3. The Discovery of Haman (Esther 3:4Now 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.
   See All...b-5)
1. Haman was informed of Mordecai (Esther 3:4Now 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.
   See All...b).
1. The servants reported Mordecai to Haman.
2. They wanted to see if Mordecai could get by with his insubordination.
3. They knew that his actions were connected to his being a Jew.
2. Haman was full of wrath (Esther 3:5And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
   See All...; Job 5:2For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.
   See All...; Proverbs 27:3-4 [3] A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both. [4] Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
   See All...; James 1:20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
   See All...).
2. HAMAN’S PLAN TO DESTROY THE JEWS (Esther 3:6-9 [6] 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. [7] 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. [8] 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. [9] 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.
   See All...)
1. The Extent of Haman’s Hatred (Esther 3:6And 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.
   See All...)
1. Not against Mordecai alone; he scorned killing only Mordecai.
2. But against Mordecai’s people (Psalm 83:1-5 [1] Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. [2] For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. [3] They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. [4] They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. [5] For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
   See All...; Revelation 12:1And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
   See All..., 17)
2. The Effort of Haman’s Superstition (Esther 3:7In 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.
   See All...; Esther 9:24Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;
   See All...; Isaiah 47:12-14 [12] Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. [13] Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. [14] Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it.
   See All...)
1. The time of the plotting
1. In the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus
2. In the first month of the year
2. The casting of lots
1. From month to month and from day to day
2. To find the best day for the destruction of the Jews (see Esther 3:13And 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.
   See All...)
3. The meaning of Pur is lots. It was the origin of the Jewish feast of Purim (Esther 9:24-26 [24] Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them; [25] But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. [26] Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,
   See All...). This gives insight into the theme of Esther. Haman cast lots in his design to destroy the Jewish people, but God is in charge of the outcome of the casting of lots (Proverbs 16:33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
   See All...).
4. The casting of lots can be compared to the flipping of a coin. It was a way to make a decision by chance.
3. The Effect of Haman’s Plotting (Esther 3:8-9 [8] 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. [9] 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.
   See All...)
1. His case against the Jews (Esther 3:8And 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.
   See All...)
1. They were dispersed among all provinces.
2. They were different (Acts 19:26-27 [26] Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: [27] So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
   See All...; 1 Peter 4:3-4 [3] For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: [4] Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
   See All...) – “their laws are diverse from all people.”
3. They were disobedient (Acts 16:19-21 [19] And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, [20] And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, [21] And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
   See All...).
4. They were despised – “it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.”
2. His offer of financial support (Esther 3:9If 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.
   See All...; 1 Timothy 6:5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
   See All...) – “ten thousand talents of silver” (compare 2 Kings 15:19And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 19:6And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syriamaachah, and out of Zobah.
   See All...)
3. THE KING’S APPROVAL OF THE PLAN (Esther 3:10-15 [10] And the king took his ring from his hand, 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. [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, 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. [14] 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. [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.
   See All...)
1. The Support of the King (Esther 3:10-11 [10] And the king took his ring from his hand, 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.
   See All...)
1. He gave his ring (Esther 3:10And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.
   See All...; see Esther 3:12Then 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.
   See All...; Esther 8:2And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
   See All...).
1. The king’s ring had the king’s seal on it (Esther 3:12Then 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.
   See All...; Esther 8:8Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.
   See All..., 10).
2. Note: “The seal is, in the East, of more importance than the signature, and indeed is often used in place of a signature. No document is of any validity without it. The ordinary mode of using it is to cover it with ink, and press it on the paper. The seal is often connected with a ring, and worn on the finger. [Genesis 41:42And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
   See All...; 1 Kings 21:8So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth.
   See All...]” –from Handbook of Bible Manners and Customs by James Freeman (p.166). At other times, the document or object was sealed with clay (see Job 38:14It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
   See All...). In this way, it could not be opened without breaking the seal.
3. The ring equaled authority. The one holding the ring held the authority.
2. He gave his resources (Esther 3:11And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.
   See All...).
1. The king used his own silver.
2. The king delivered the people to Haman.
2. The Decree of the King (Esther 3:12-15 [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, 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. [14] 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. [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.
   See All...)
1. The sealing of the decree (Esther 3:12Then 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.
   See All...; Esther 8:8Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.
   See All...)
1. Written by the scribes
1. On the 13th day of the first month
2. According to the commandment of Haman
3. To the rulers of every province
4. To every people after their language
2. Confirmed by the king’s seal
1. In the name of Ahasuerus
2. Sealed with the king’s ring
2. The sending of the letters (Esther 3:13-15 [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, 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. [14] 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. [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.
   See All...; Esther 8:10And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:
   See All...; 2 Chronicles 30:6So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
   See All...)
1. Letters sent by posts [as in post office] (Esther 3:13And 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.
   See All...)
2. Content of the letters (Esther 3:13And 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.
   See All...)
1. To destroy all Jews
2. On the 13th day of the 12th month
3. To take the spoil as a prey
3. The commandment published (Esther 3:14The 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.
   See All...)
4. The posts went out by haste (Esther 3:15The 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.
   See All...).
5. The king and Haman sat down to drink (Esther 3:15The 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.
   See All...).
6. The city of Shushan perplexed (Esther 3:15The 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.
   See All...)

CONCLUSION: There is a battle going on in this chapter. It is a type of the battle that goes on in each of us. It is the battle for who gets the ring; that is, who gets the authority to rule in our life. Haman is a type of the flesh. Who rules your life today?