Then Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs, whom he had assigned to her, and she ordered him to go to Mordecai to find out what was happening and why it was happening.

Hathach went to Mordecai in the city square that was in front of the king's gate.

Mordecai gave Hathach a copy of the written decree ordering the Jews' destruction that had been issued in Susa. Mordecai wanted him to show it to Esther, to explain it to her, and then to instruct her to go in to the king to seek his favor and plead with him for her people.

Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said.

Then Esther spoke to Hathach, instructing him to go back to Mordecai with this message: