The King's order authorized the Jews in every city to arm and defend themselves to the death, killing anyone who threatened them or their women and children, and confiscating for themselves anything owned by their enemies.
Esther 8:11 MSG
King Xerxes had authorized Haman to write the first law (Est 3:9-12) to destroy the Jews. It was written in the King's name & sealed with his ring. That meant the law couldn't be revoked (Est 8:8). All the King could do, after learning the law would include killing lovely Queen Esther, was write a new law authorizing the Jews to defend themselves on the day they were to be destroyed.
King Xerxes made a choice and had to live with the consequences. That choice affected many, many people. Even though the Jews couldn't control the law the King wrote, they had to face the consequences of the action. King Xerxes did what he could after realizing what he'd authorized. He tried to make amends, even though it required the Jews to defend themselves, even to death.
The Jewish people fought to defend themselves & Queen Esther even asked the King for one more day so they could fight again. Here's another interesting point it said more than once in chapter 9. Even though the law authorized them to, "they did not lay their hands on the plunder."
They didn't want the stuff, they just wanted their lives & freedom. Isn't that cool?
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