CRITICAL NOTES.] ESTHER 4:1. PERCEIVED ALL THAT WAS DONE] Evident that Mordecai knew not only the terms of the public proclamation, but the particulars of the private arrangement between Haman and the king. For in Esther 4:7 it is said, “And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and o... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.] ESTHER 4:4.] The matter was made known to Esther by her maids and eunuchs; and she fell into convulsive grief. The verb here used is a passive intensive—to be affected with grief as one seized with the pains of delivery. She sent clothes to her guardian, that he might put them on,... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.] ESTHER 4:6. THE STREET OF THE CITY] The broad open place before the palace.—_Whedon’s Commentary_. ESTHER 4:7. THE SUM OF THE MONEY] Rather a statement of the silver. The word here rendered _sum_ means a distinct or accurate statement. Mordecai told Hatach what had befallen him, a... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.] ESTHER 4:11. THE INNER COURT] The court that faced the principal audience hall—the throne chamber—where alone it would be practicable for Esther to see the king on such business. In the time of Deioceses the Mede, approach to the king was already very difficult; and among the Persia... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.] ESTHER 4:13.] Mordecai does not reproach Esther with being indifferent to the fate of her fellow-countrymen, but rather calls her attention to the fact that her own life is in danger. ESTHER 4:14.] Who knows, if thou hadst not attained to royalty at or for such a time? may be take... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.] ESTHER 4:15.] Esther resolves to go to the king unsummoned and begs a three days’ fast. “Though God and prayer are not here mentioned, it is yet obviously assumed that it was before God that the Jews were to humble themselves, to seek his help, and to induce him to grant it.”—_Bert... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.] ESTHER 4:17. AND MORDECAI WENT HIS WAY] _i.e._ from the place before the court of the king, to do what the queen had commanded him to do.—_Keil_. MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH. Esther 4:17 A GOOD MAN’S CHARACTERISTICS I. MORDECAI WENT HIS WAY PONDERING. Mordecai was a man of t... [ Continue Reading ]