Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s command and edict were about to be carried out, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them. The Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could stand against them, for the fear of them had fallen on all peoples. All the officials of the provinces and the satraps and the governors and the royal agents also helped the Jews, for the fear of Mordecai had fallen on them. For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces, for the man Mordecai grew more and more powerful. The Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and did as they pleased to those who hated them. In Susa the citadel itself the Jews killed and destroyed 500 men, and also killed Parshandatha and Dalphon and Aspatha and Poratha and Adalia and Aridatha and Parmashta and Arisai and Aridai and Vaizatha, the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, but they laid no hand on the plunder.
Comment: The Jews were attacked on the appointed day, but the Jews were ready and won. Mordecai being a Jew and now in very high standing with the King persuaded a lot of officials to stand with the Jews. Haman’s family property was treated differently. It now belonged to Esther a fellow Jew, but all the family of Haman were killed. This is obviously a key day in Jewish history as almost all Jews were in the area of this kingdom and if there had not been Mordecai’s edict and the resultant victory the Jews if not all killed would certainly have been decimated.
Prayer: Warring is so common in Biblical history, Lord, and often at Your command. Help us please with the wars we live with today and to deal with the issues in a godly way. Your word does say ‘Blessed is the peace-maker!
As I read it! 
Thank you Barry for your comments on this passage. With only seconds to spare, the reverse occurred. “God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform” is the line of a well known hymn which is so very true. How often in our own lives have we found that God works everything out for us, but always “at the right time”. He is never too early, and never too late. He is always right on time. I believe God allows us to mature and grow in trusting Him and holding on to Him when we are waiting for His answers to come. This Book of Esther is such a wonderful true story of how God works for the good of those who love Him (Rom.8:28) and I have learned more about God through this study, even though, as you mentioned earlier, God’s Name is not mentioned in this whole story. His Hand and His fingerprints are on every page. God bless you.
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