Haman Plans to Destroy the Jews

3 After these ·things happened [events], King ·Xerxes [^LAhasuerus] ·honored [promoted; ^Lmade great] Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite [^Ca descendant of King Agag of the Amalekites, the hated enemies of Israel (which Saul failed to eradicate; 1 Sam. 15); Ex. 17:8–15; Deut. 23:3–6]. He ·gave him a new rank that was [exalted/elevated him] ·higher than [above] all the ·important men [nobles; officials]. ² All the ·royal officers [king’s ministers; officials] at the king’s gate would bow down and ·kneel before [pay homage to] Haman, as the king had ·ordered [commanded]. But Mordecai would not bow down or ·show him honor [pay him homage; ^Cbecause he was a hated Amalekite].

³ Then the ·royal officers [ministers; officials] at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why don’t you obey the king’s command?”