Achashverosh's Shock and Fury/2

Achashverosh's Surprise

Exegetical Approaches

Unaware and Fickle

Achashverosh had been unaware of Esther's Jewish identity, and being both drunk and foolish, did not immediately make the connection to Haman's edict.

Haman's request

10,000 pieces of gold

How did Esther hide her identity?

Honor to Mordechai

Significance to hanging?

Esther's tactics

Misled by Haman

Achashverosh had been deceived by Haman, who had hidden the identity of the nation he was planning on destroying and/or misled him regarding what he intended to do to that nation.  Thus, it was with Esther's comment that Achashverosh first realized that Haman planned to annihilate the Jews.

Haman's request - "יֶשְׁנוֹ עַם אֶחָד"

Haman's request - "יִכָּתֵב לְאַבְּדָם"

10,000 pieces of gold

Different letters

Did Achashverosh know Esther was Jewish?

Honor to Mordechai

Mordechai's report

Esther's tactics - "וְאִלּוּ לַעֲבָדִים וְלִשְׁפָחוֹת נִמְכַּרְנוּ הֶחֱרַשְׁתִּי"

Significance to hanging?

Biblical Parallels

Playing Innocent

Achashverosh immediately understood that Esther was referring to Haman's plan which he himself had approved, but he feigned innocence so as to cast the blame solely on Haman.