Page "Book of Esther" Paragraph 4

Ahasuerus appoints Haman as his prime minister.

Mordechai, who sits at the palace gates, falls into Haman's disfavor as he refuses to bow down to him.

Having found out that Mordechai is Jewish, Haman plans to kill not just Mordechai but all the Jews in the empire.

He obtains Ahasuerus ' permission to execute this plan, against payment of ten thousand talents of silver ( which the King declines to accept and rather allows him to execute his plan on principle ), and he casts lots to choose the date on which to do this — the thirteenth of the month of Adar.

On that day, everyone in the empire is free to massacre the Jews and despoil their property.

When Mordechai finds out about the plans he and all Jews mourn and fast.

Mordechai informs Esther what has happened and tells her to intercede with the King.

She is afraid to break the law and go to the King unsummoned.

This action would incur the death penalty.

Mordechai tells her that she must.

She orders Mordechai to have all Jews fast for three days together with her, and on the third day she goes to Ahasuerus, who stretches out his sceptre to her which shows that she is not to be punished.

She invites him to a feast in the company of Haman.

During the feast, she asks them to attend a further feast the next evening.

Meanwhile, Haman is again offended by Mordechai and consults with his friends.

At his wife's suggestion, he builds a gallows for Mordechai.