In telling Haman to keep the money, Ahasuerus probably did not mean to reject Haman’s offer of the ten thousand talents of silver. Rather, he accepted Haman’s offer in a way that was typical of ancient Near Eastern negotiations (see also Genesis 23:11–16). If Xerxes did not accept the money, then why would Mordecai tell Esther about the exact sum that Haman had offered (Esther 4:7)? And why would Esther complain to the king, We have been sold, I and my people
(Esther 7:4)?
11 And the king said to Haman, “The money is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you.”