Esther 9:5

5. The Jews smote… with… the sword Hence we see that they had armed themselves with weapons of war, and were thus prepared, in case of attack, to retaliate with slaughter and destruction. No doubt when they were assailed they avenged themselves by a most fearful retaliation.

Did what they would unto those that hated them Carried their work of retaliation to whatsoever extent they desired. But it does not appear that in any city or province the Jews themselves began the work of war. The hatred of their enemies always commenced the slaughter by an attack upon them.