11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.
11 "Keep the money," the king said to Haman, "and do with the people as you please."
11 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."
11 "Go ahead," the king said to Haman. "It's your money - do whatever you want with those people."
11 And the king said to Haman, "The money and the people are given to you, to do with them as seems good to you."
11 The king said, "The money and the people are both yours to do with as you see fit."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Esther 3:11
Commentary on Esther 3:7-15
(Read Esther 3:7-15)
Without some acquaintance with the human heart, and the history of mankind, we should not think that any prince could consent to a dreadful proposal, so hurtful to himself. Let us be thankful for mild and just government. Haman inquires, according to his own superstitions, how to find a lucky day for the designed massacre! God's wisdom serves its own purposes by men's folly. Haman has appealed to the lot, and the lot, by delaying the execution, gives judgment against him. The event explains the doctrine of a particular providence over all the affairs of men, and the care of God over his church. Haman was afraid lest the king's conscience should smite him for what he had done; to prevent which, he kept him drinking. This cursed method many often take to drown convictions, and to harden their own hearts, and the hearts of others, in sin. All appeared in a favourable train to accomplish the project. But though sinners are permitted to proceed to the point they aim at, an unseen but almighty Power turns them back. How vain and contemptible are the strongest assaults against Jehovah! Had Haman obtained his wish, and the Jewish nation perished, what must have become of all the promises? How could the prophecies concerning the great Redeemer of the world have been fulfilled? Thus the everlasting covenant itself must have failed, before this diabolical project could take place.