The report had evidently surprised the king. If the Jews had killed so many men in the citadel, then what have they done in the rest of the provinces?
Ahasuerus displayed no sign of grief at the deaths of five hundred men who used to live and work around the palace, men whom he had feasted with not too long ago (Esther 1:5). He reported these deaths to Esther, in order to prove that her wishes (Esther 7:3) had been more than provided for. What is more, he declared himself willing to do whatever else she wished (even if it would mean the deaths of many more Persians).
In God’s providence, the heart of this foolish king had been so captivated by Esther that he was willing to give the rule of the empire into her hands. This is ironic, since not long ago, this same king had proclaimed throughout the empire that every man should be ruler over his own household
(Esther 1:22)!
12 And the king said to Queen Esther, “In Susa the citadel the Jews have killed and destroyed 500 men and also the ten sons of Haman. What then have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces! Now what is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what further is your request? It shall be fulfilled.”