Esther 3:7-11
Ten Thousand Talents of Silver
Read the passage
7In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the Pur (that is, the lot) was cast before Haman to determine a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar.
8Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them.
9If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.”
10So the king removed the signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.
11“Keep your money,” said the king to Haman. “These people are given to you to do with them as you please.”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Before seeking permission to destroy the Jews, Haman has the Pur—the lot—cast to determine a day and month. It is the first month of the king's twelfth year, and the lot falls on the twelfth month. His plan has a date, but there is still time before it arrives.
Haman tells Xerxes about "a certain people." In the speech recorded here, he does not name the Jews or mention his anger at Mordecai. Instead he claims their different laws and disobedience make them dangerous to the king's interests. He offers ten thousand talents of silver to pay those who carry out their destruction.
No investigation is recorded. Xerxes gives Haman his signet ring and authority over the people he has accused.
These people are given to you to do with them as you please.
The king's approval does not make Haman's accusation true. It gives his hatred the power of the throne. The narrator calls him "the enemy of the Jews," so we can see the danger behind his appeal to royal interests. Authority entrusted without care can expose people to terrible harm.
Questions
1 What does the casting of the Pur determine?
AnswerA day and month for Haman's plan. The lot falls on the twelfth month, Adar.
2 How does Haman describe the people he wants destroyed?
AnswerAs a scattered people with different laws who do not obey the king. He does not name them in the recorded speech or disclose his quarrel with Mordecai.
3 What does Haman offer the king?
AnswerTen thousand talents of silver for the royal treasury to pay those who carry out the destruction.
4 How does Xerxes respond?
AnswerHe gives Haman his signet ring, tells him to keep the money, and gives him authority to act against these people as he pleases.
What This Means for Us
When someone brings an accusation, confidence is not a substitute for truth. Before making a decision that affects another person, ask what happened and hear the people involved. Adults especially need to take care when children or others depend on their fairness. The person who hands over authority is responsible for using it thoughtfully.
Prayer
God of justice, keep us from accepting accusations carelessly. Give us patience to listen, courage to question a harmful proposal, and concern for people whose voices are missing. Amen.