The king’s edict gave the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate every ethnic and provincial army hostile to them, including women and children, and to take their possessions as spoils of war.
Then Haman described for them his glorious wealth and his many sons. He told them all how the king had honoured him and promoted him in rank over the other officials and the royal staff.
Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable #– #if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy #– #dwell on these things.
For my people and I have been sold to destruction, death, and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept silent. Indeed, the trouble wouldn’t be worth burdening the king.’
After all this took place, King Ahasuerus honoured Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite. He promoted him in rank and gave him a higher position than all the other officials.
Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me,
Letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces telling the officials to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jewish people #– #young and old, women and children #– #and plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month.
The king then gave the command, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel , were brought and thrown into the lions’ den #– #they, their children, and their wives. They had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.