Charles Ellicott Commentary Esther 9:2

"the Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them was fallen upon all the peoples." — Esther 9:2 (ASV)

To lay hand on such as sought their hurt. — How far the Jews acted according to the strict letter of the edict, and stood for their lives only when attacked, is perhaps to be doubted. They had on their side all the executive of the empire (Esther 9:3), and evidently, to all intents and purposes, the second edict was considered virtually to repeal the first. The Jews, therefore, being in favor at court, and, as was not unnatural after their alarm, being now full of indignation and vengeance, were probably resolved to use their opportunities while they had the chance. If so, who could object so long as they did nothing against the authorities? And they, we have seen, were on their side. That they did make a bloody use of their opportunity is shown clearly by Esther 9:16.