Esther perceived that Haman still had many supporters, not only in the citadel of Susa, but also in the entire city. She feared that these people would launch renewed attacks on the following day, when both edicts had expired. Therefore, her first wish was that the second edict would be extended, allowing the Jews of Susa to fight against their enemies again.
Her second wish was that the bodies of Haman’s sons would be hanged. This was a common practice, by which more shame was brought on the dead and a solemn warning was issued to their supporters (see Joshua 8:29; Joshua 10:26; 1 Samuel 31:10; 2 Samuel 21:1–14). Perhaps Esther also had in mind God’s words in Deuteronomy 21:23: A hanged man is cursed by God.
God’s curse indeed rested on the Amalekites.
13 And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the Jews who are in Susa be allowed tomorrow also to do according to this day’s edict. And let the ten sons of Haman be hanged on the gallows.”