Meanwhile, a man named Haman has been promoted to a very high place in the government, and orders have been given that whenever he passes by, people must bow to him. Mordecai, because of his Jewish scruples, refuses to do so, which makes Haman angry and determined to destroy him. Haman persuades the king to pass a decree that on a certain day all Jews are to be slaughtered. Realizing the terrible plight in which his people have been placed by this decree, Mordecai pleads with Esther to go before the king and intercede on the Jews' behalf. Although such a mission is dangerous for Esther to undertake because she is a Jew, she willingly risks her life in order to carry it out. Haman is delighted that the king has issued this decree, and in anticipation of the slaughter being carried out, he constructs a gallows, on which Mordecai is to be hanged.
One night, the king, unable to sleep, gives orders to his servants to read to him from the official records. They read the account of the plot against the king's life that was revealed by Mordecai, thus saving the life of the king. When the king realizes that nothing has been done to reward the man who saved him, he begins to wonder what would constitute an appropriate reward for one who has rendered such a great service. Seeing Haman outside, the king calls him into his chambers and asks what should be done for one whom the king "delights to honor." Haman, supposing that he is the one to be honored, suggests many elaborate things. When Haman has finished, the king orders that all these shall be done to honor Mordecai. Ultimately, Haman is hanged on the very gallows that he prepared for Mordecai, and on the day originally appointed for the slaughter of the Jews, the decree is reversed and the Jews are permitted and encouraged to slaughter their enemies.
