With Haman out of the way, the Jews’ most pressing problem did not disappear. The edict that Haman had issued, carried the stamp of the king and was therefore irrevocable. The situation of which Esther had complained at the second banquet, that she and her people had been sold for destruction, did not change.
For days, Esther and Mordecai must have anxiously watched to see if the king will act to protect the Jews. After all, Esther’s request had been that the king would spare her and her people (Esther 7:3). Before hearing her request, the king had promised three times to do whatever she asked (Esther 5:3, Esther 5:6; Esther 7:2).
About two months passed (see Esther 8:9). Perhaps the king had been using this time to consult with his advisers. But Esther could not bear the tension any longer. She did not simply bow at Ahasuerus’ feet; she fell at his feet, weeping. She reminded him of Haman’s plan, which still stood. She showed her aversion to Haman by calling him the Agagite.
3 Then Esther spoke again to the king. She fell at his feet and wept and pleaded with him to avert the evil plan of Haman the Agagite and the plot that he had devised against the Jews.