Esther 3:8 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

And Haman said unto King Ahasuerus After he had found which would be a lucky day for putting his design into execution; There is a certain people scattered abroad Mean and contemptible, not worthy to be named; and dispersed among the people Who therefore, if tolerated, may poison all thy subjects with their pernicious principles, and whom thou mayest easily crush, without any great noise or difficulty; in all the provinces of thy kingdom For though many of their brethren were returned to their own land, yet great numbers of them stayed behind, either because they preferred their ease and worldly advantages before their spiritual profit, or they wanted conveniences or opportunity for removing; and their laws are diverse from all people They have rites, and customs, and a religion peculiar to themselves; and therefore are justly offensive to all thy subjects, and may either infect them with their notions, or occasion great dissensions and distractions among them; neither keep they the king's laws As is manifest by Mordecai's bold contempt of thy late edict concerning me, which contempt being shown by him as a Jew, the whole nation are involved in his crime, and are prepared to do the same when they have occasion; therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them To wit, to live in this kingdom. I do not seek herein so much my own revenge as thy service.