Some time later King Xerxes promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite over all the other nobles, making him the most powerful official in the empire. All the king’s officials would bow down before Haman to show him respect whenever he passed by, fr so the king had commanded. But Mordecai refused to bow down or show him respect. (vv. 1-2, NLT0
When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage. He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai along. Instead, he look for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the empire of Xerxes.
So in the month of April, during the twelfth year of King Xerxes’ reign lots were cast in Haman’s presence (the lots were called purim) to determine the best day and month to take action. And the day selected was March 7, nearly a year later. (vv. 7, NLT)