In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, they cast lots) before Haman day after day; and they cast it month after month till the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar. Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king’s laws, so that it is not to the king’s profit to tolerate them. If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay 10,000 talents of silver into the hands of those who have charge of the king’s business, that they may put it into the king’s treasuries.” So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. And the king said to Haman, “The money is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you.”
Comment: Reading back from the beginning we know that by this time Esther had been the Queen for five years and we have no evidence that she was known to be a Jewess. Casting lots was a way of seeking divine guidance. I don’t see how the twelve months fits in the story, Possibly it means that Haman delayed after he had been elevated to his present position. Possibly he sat at the gate using the dice casting method to advise people before, while maybe getting evidence against the Jews, Then he acts.
The plan was that Haman from his own wealth would pay various officials to kill and plunder all Jews throughout the whole kingdom putting the gained wealth into the King’s account. He painted the Jews in a very nasty light! The King liked the plan and allowed Haman to use his signature (the signet ring) to get it all done. It sounds as if Haman was told by the King ‘And it won’t cost you a cent, I’ll pay off the officials!’
Prayer: Please act on behalf of Your people even these days, O God.
As I read it! 