Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this [is] Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, [over] an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) Ver. 1. _Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus_] This book is in the Hebrew called Esther, because she is a chief party therein... [ Continue Reading ]
Esther 1:2 [That] in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which [was] in Shushan the palace, Ver. 2. _When the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne_] Having peace with all men, being quiet and secure; though this lasted not long; for he was shamefully foiled by the Grec... [ Continue Reading ]
In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, [being] before him: Ver. 3. _In the third year of his reign he made a feast_] Such a feast, as that all other feasts were but hunger to it,... [ Continue Reading ]
When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, [even] an hundred and fourscore days. Ver. 4. _When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom_] Or, that he might show, &c. There were other ends of this feast, as was before noted; but this is i... [ Continue Reading ]
And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace; Ver. 5. _The king made a feast unto all the people_] This was not amiss, so that care were tak... [ Continue Reading ]
Esther 1:6 [Where were] white, green, and blue, [hangings], fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds [were of] gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. Ver. 6. _Where were white, green, and blue hangings_] R... [ Continue Reading ]
And they gave [them] drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. Ver. 7. _And they gave them drink_] Think the same of food also; but the whole feast hath its denomination in the original from drinking; bec... [ Continue Reading ]
And the drinking [was] according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. Ver. 8. _And the drinking was according to the law_] Prescribed by the king, and it was but needful, lest men should m... [ Continue Reading ]
Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women [in] the royal house which [belonged] to king Ahasuerus. Ver. 9. _Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women_] Heb. A feast, or a compotation of women. This was better yet than Heliogabalus's senate of women, with their ordinances correspondent... [ Continue Reading ]
On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, Ver. 10. _On the seventh day_] Here we have _Luxuriosi convivii luctuosum exi... [ Continue Reading ]
To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she [was] fair to look on. Ver. 11. _To bring Vashti the queen before the king_] This was their errand, and they went readily about it (though it beseemed not their state, as being chi... [ Continue Reading ]
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by [his] chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. Ver. 12. But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment] She peremptorily and contumaciously refused, ουκ ηθελεν (Septuag.), though s... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so [was] the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment: Ver. 13. _Then the king said to the wise men_] What a sudden change is here! _Ex conviviis fiunt comitia, imo et convitia,_ saith an interpreter. The enraged king forgets... [ Continue Reading ]
And the next unto him [was] Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, [and] Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, [and] which sat the first in the kingdom;) Ver. 14. _And the next unto him was Carshena, &c._] These were his trusty and well-beloved co... [ Continue Reading ]
What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? Ver. 15. _What shall we do_] Saith the king; who changeth the scene suddenly, the banqueting house into a council chamber, the merry meeting into a most... [ Continue Reading ]
And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that [are] in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. Ver. 16. _And Memucan answered before the king_] Heb. Mumchan; the junior likely, an... [ Continue Reading ]
For [this] deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. Ver. 17. _For this deed of the queen shall come abroad_] Th... [ Continue Reading ]
Esther 1:18 [Likewise] shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus [shall there arise] too much contempt and wrath. Ver. 18. _Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say_] Say what? We will not do as our lords... [ Continue Reading ]
If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. Ver. 19. _If it... [ Continue Reading ]
And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small. Ver. 20. And when the king's decree that he shall make shall be published] But why should any such thing be pub... [ Continue Reading ]
And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan: Ver. 21. _And the saying pleased the king_] Pity but itching ears should have clawing counsellors. Memucan was a fit helve for such a hatchet; and his advice fit lettuce for such lips. What marvel th... [ Continue Reading ]
For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that [it] should be published according to the language of every people. Ver. 22. _That every man... [ Continue Reading ]