Esther 6:12

And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.

Ver. 12. And Mordecai came again to the king's gate] No whit overjoyed by his new honour, or thereby (as many would have been - a small wind bloweth up a bubble), only he conceiveth hope thereby for a better condition, and taketh every former mercy for a pledge of a future: this experience breedeth confidence. He doth not rush into the court at his return, and reach after a higher room, but came again to the king's gate, where his office was and his business lay; he took up also, as some think, his old habit again (the king's apparel and horse being restored to the right owner, he had as little delight in it as David once had of Saul's armour); but it is rather probable, saith an expositor, that he now left that off, being full of hope, that as God had heard his prayers, to bring him out of danger and to high honour; so he should now be able to help his brethren the Jews out of theirs also. Meanwhile, he doth not envy his superiors, insult over his inferiors, trouble his equals, threaten his enemies, &c., but committeth himself and all his affairs to God's good pleasure and providence; and this is the guise of a godly man, Psalms 131:1,2 .

But Haman hasted to his house mourning] Or, vexed at heart, fretting within himself, that he was so very much disappointed. Merrily he made account to have gone to the queen's feast, when he had first trussed up Mordecai. Of which not only missing, but made to do him public honour in that sort, and that by his own direction, this galled him and grieved him above measure; so bladder-like is the soul of an unregenerate man, that filled with earthly vanities, though but wind, it grows great, and swells in pride; but if pricked with the least pin of piercing grief it shriveleth to nothing.

And having his head covered] With his cap pulled over his eyes, as ashamed to look any one in the face. See 2Sa 15:30 Jeremiah 14:4 .