After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that [were] with him. Ver. 1. _After these things did Ahasuerus promote Haman_] Four years after his marriage with Esther, or near upon, did Ahasuerus magn... [ Continue Reading ]
And all the king's servants, that [were] in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did [him] reverence. Ver. 2. And all the kiny's servants] His courtiers and others; not his menial servants only. That were in the kin... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the king's servants, which [were] in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment? Ver. 3. Then the king's servants, &c.] See Esther 3:2 . _ Said unto Mordecai_] Tempting his piety and constancy not once, but often, alleging the king's commandment, togethe... [ Continue Reading ]
Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he [was] a Jew. Ver. 4. _Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him_] This, if they did of good-will (as at fi... [ Continue Reading ]
And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. Ver. 5. _And when Haman saw_] Stirred up by these pestilent flatterer, _qui crabronem furiosum magis irritaverant,_ as one saith, he took special notice of Mordecai's irreverence, which with more discre... [ Continue Reading ]
And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that [were] throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, [even] the people of Mordecai. Ver. 6. _And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone_] He... [ Continue Reading ]
In the first month, that [is], the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that [is], the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, [to] the twelfth [month], that [is], the month Adar. Ver. 7. _In the first month_] The time is thus noted, _ad maiorem his... [ Continue Reading ]
And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws [are] diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it [is] not for the king's profit to suffer them. Ver. 8. _An... [ Continue Reading ]
_If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring [it] into the king's treasuries._ Ver. 9. _If it please the king_] Here he showeth himself a smooth courtier, and... [ Continue Reading ]
And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. Ver. 10. _And the king took his ring from his hand_] And thereby gave him power to do what he pleased, Genesis 41:42 1 Kings 21:8, _En regis huius inertiam et impcritiam._ How weak ... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the king said unto Haman, The silver [is] given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee._ Ver. 11. _And the king said unto Haman_] Whom he looked upon as an honest, prudent, public spirited man, and therefore so easily empowered him to do what he would. _ O vanas... [ Continue Reading ]
Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that [were] over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writin... [ Continue Reading ]
And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, [even] upon the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and [to take] the spoil of them for a pr... [ Continue Reading ]
_The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day._ Ver. 14. The copy of the writing … was published] _Phathsegin,_ a Syriac word, saith R. David, and not found but in the books about the captivity. The... [ Continue Reading ]
The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed. Ver. 15. The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment] As if the enemy had been at the gates, a... [ Continue Reading ]