Esther 3:12-15
The King and Haman Sat Down to Drink
Read the passage
12On the thirteenth day of the first month, the royal scribes were summoned and the order was written exactly as Haman commanded the royal satraps, the governors of each province, and the officials of each people, in the script of each province and the language of every people. It was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the royal signet ring.
13And the letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces with the order to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—and to plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month.
14A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued in every province and published to all the people, so that they would be ready on that day.
15The couriers left, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in confusion.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
On the thirteenth day of the first month, the royal scribes are summoned. Haman's command is written for the provincial rulers and officials, in each province's script and each people's language. It bears Xerxes' name and the seal of his ring.
The decree orders the destruction of all the Jews—young and old, women and children—and the plundering of their possessions on one day, the thirteenth of Adar. Naming the children makes the nature of the order unmistakable. This is a plan to destroy a people, not to punish a proven offense.
Couriers hurry out at the king's command. The decree is published so everyone will be ready. The machinery of royal government now carries Haman's murderous intention throughout the empire.
Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in confusion.
The sentence leaves us with two very different responses. The men responsible sit down to drink; the city is bewildered. Official procedure and an impressive seal have given the order reach, but neither can make it righteous. The story asks us to face what has been authorized, including its threat to families.
Questions
1 Whose command do the scribes write, and whose name authorizes it?
AnswerThey write exactly as Haman commands, in King Xerxes' name and sealed with the royal signet ring.
2 Whom does the decree target?
AnswerAll the Jews, including young and old, women and children. It also authorizes taking their possessions.
3 Why is the decree published in every province?
AnswerSo all the people will know the order and be ready on the appointed day, the thirteenth of Adar.
4 How does the passage contrast the king and Haman with Susa?
AnswerThey sit down to drink, while the city is in confusion. Their ease stands beside the distress caused by their decree.
What This Means for Us
An instruction can be official and still be wrong. We remain responsible for how our own work affects others. If someone asks you to spread a lie, exclude a person unfairly, or help with something cruel, stop and seek help from a trustworthy person. Being one small part of a plan does not make the harm unimportant.
Prayer
Father, keep us alert to the harm our actions can help along. Give us courage to refuse cruel work and wisdom to seek help for people in danger. Amen.