9:3 fear of Mordecai. Two contradictory, but irrevocable, decrees had been issued, one sponsored by Haman, bent on annihilating the Jews, the other sponsored by Mordecai, authorizing protection for the Jews and destruction of those who would attack them. The Persian military was thus faced with choosing which decree to help implement. Since Mordecai had now become second to the king in place of Haman (Esther 8:2; 10:3), most decided the part of wisdom was to favor Esther, Mordecai, and the Jews! One tradition relates that it was only the Amalekites, or Agagites, of the same lineage of Haman, who actually tried to slay the Jews as Haman had planned.