אסתר, פרק ג׳, פסוק י״א

A chilling alliance of hatred often hides behind a mask of royal generosity. When presented with a plot for mass destruction, King Ahasuerus responds by granting the request entirely, making a public show of waiving the massive financial gain that was offered.

In responding to the bribe, the king tells Haman that the silver is surrendered to him. Since Haman had not yet handed over the funds, the king could simply have told him to keep his money. Instead, the primary approach among commentators is that the king treats the vast sum as if it had already been deposited into the royal treasury. By formally gifting it back, the kingdom willingly takes on the financial loss, allowing Ahasuerus to show Haman deep affection and glowing favor [יוסף אבן יחיא, עמנואל הרומי, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מנות הלוי].

There are a few reasons why the king refuses the wealth. He wants to maintain the image of an honest ruler who does not act out of greed. In his mind, destroying the Israelites is a necessary step to correct their flawed religion and bad morals, so he leaves the funds with Haman to cover the expenses of this supposed correction [מלבי״ם]. Alternatively, the king instructs Haman to use the silver for charity. The surrounding nations knew that giving to the poor helps secure success and clear away sins, so Haman distributes the wealth to ensure his dark decree will succeed. However, because Haman is legally considered a slave to Mordechai, a different rule applies: whatever a slave acquires belongs to his master. Therefore, the spiritual credit for this massive charity actually goes to Mordechai, ultimately working to protect the Israelites [חומת אנך].

This sweeping surrender applies not only to the silver but also to the targeted nation itself [עמנואל הרומי]. By granting permission to do with the people as he sees fit, Ahasuerus exposes his own deep hatred for the Israelites and his underlying fear of their God. Even though Haman's initial proposal did not explicitly mention killing, the king fully understands the hidden intent. He encourages Haman not to settle for mere financial persecution, but grants him absolute authority to completely wipe the nation off the face of the earth, giving him exactly what he desires [מנות הלוי, יוסף אבן יחיא, צאינה וראינה]. Yet, despite this immediate and sweeping transfer of power, the horrifying decree likely does not become public knowledge on the very day the royal orders are written, but only emerges later on [אבן עזרא].