31 After these things hath the king Ahasuerus exalted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and lifteth him up, and setteth his throne above all the heads who 'are' with him, 2 and all servants of the king, who 'are' in the gate of the king, are bowing and doing obeisance to Haman, for so hath the king commanded for him; and Mordecai doth not bow nor do obeisance. 3 And the servants of the king, who 'are' in the gate of the king, say to Mordecai, 'Wherefore 'art' thou transgressing the command of the king?' 4 And it cometh to pass, in their speaking unto him, day by day, and he hath not hearkened unto them, that they declare 'it' to Haman, to see whether the words of Mordecai do stand, for he hath declared to them that he 'is' a Jew. 5 And Haman seeth that Mordecai is not bowing and doing obeisance to him, and Haman is full of fury, 6 and it is contemptible in his eyes to put forth a hand on Mordecai by himself, for they have declared to him the people of Mordecai, and Haman seeketh to destroy all the Jews who 'are' in all the kingdom of Ahasuerus—the people of Mordecai.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Esther 3:1-6
Commentary on Esther 3:1-6
(Read Esther 3:1-6)
Mordecai refused to reverence Haman. The religion of a Jew forbade him to give honours to any mortal man which savoured of idolatry, especially to so wicked a man as Haman. By nature all are idolaters; self is our favourite idol, we are pleased to be treated as if every thing were at our disposal. Though religion by no means destroys good manners, but teaches us to render honour to whom honour is due, yet by a citizen of Zion, not only in his heart, but in his eyes, such a vile person as Haman was, is contemned, Psalm 15:4. The true believer cannot obey edicts, or conform to fashions, which break the law of God. He must obey God rather than man, and leave the consequences to him. Haman was full of wrath. His device was inspired by that wicked spirit, who has been a murderer from the beginning; whose enmity to Christ and his church, governs all his children.