R’ Shimshon of Ostropoli asks two questions on the above pasuk: 1) The words: אשר בידו - “that was in his hand” seem to be extra. It could have just said:ויושט את שרביט הזהב - “he extended to Esther the gold scepter.” In fact, the second time he extended the scepter to her (see 8:4) the words, אשר בידו, are not mentioned? 2) The Gemara in Megillah (15b) says that an angel stretched the King’s golden scepter, which was originally two amos towards her either twelve or as much as sixty amos. If so, why was it necessary that: ותקרב אסתר - “Esther approached”?
R’ Shimshon of Ostropoli answers: The golden scepter had a handle. Normally, when the King wanted to extend it to someone, he would hold onto the handle and extend it lengthwise. When Esther appeared, her presence moved him very much, and to show his great love for her, he turned around the scepter and handed her the handle, אשר בידו - the part which was normally in his hand. To show respect to the King, though the handle of the scepter was offered to her, she humbly approached the King and “touched the top of the scepter — the part which was now “in his hand.”
