On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he [was] unto her. Ver. 1. _On that day_] This was a festival and a good day, as Esther 8:17, _albo lapillo notandus,_ for the many signal me... [ Continue Reading ]
And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. Ver. 2. _And the king took off his ring_] As a sign of intimate friendship, and a bond of strictest league of love. That this was usual among the Persians, is t... [ Continue Reading ]
And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. Ver. 3. _And Esther spake yet again_] Having sped so well before, she is encouraged to speak yet aga... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king, Ver. 4. _Then the king held out the golden sceptre_] It appeareth by this, that she once more put her life in her hand; hazarding it for her people's safety (as Arsinoe interposed her own body betwe... [ Continue Reading ]
And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing [seem] right before the king, and I [be] pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which [are] in all th... [ Continue Reading ]
For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred? Ver. 6. _For how can I endure to see the evil, &c._] She had her life already given her at her petition; but unless she might have her people at her request, who were sold... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. Ver. 7. _Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther, &c._] Here Haman's letters of Mark are re... [ Continue Reading ]
Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal [it] with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse. Ver. 8. _Write ye also for the Jews_] Here was one syngram, or authoritative writing, cross... [ Continue Reading ]
Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that [is], the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth [day] thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which [are] from... [ Continue Reading ]
And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed [it] with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, [and] riders on mules, camels, [and] young dromedaries: Ver. 10. And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus's name] For he knew that "where the word of a king is, there is power: and who... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherein the king granted the Jews which [were] in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, [both] little ones and women, and [to take] the spoil of them for a... [ Continue Reading ]
Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, [namely], upon the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, which [is] the month Adar. Ver. 12. _Upon one day in all the provinces, &c._] That once fatal day, but henceforth (the brunt once past) festival. That long-looked-for day, wherein the enem... [ Continue Reading ]
The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province [was] published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. Ver. 13. _The copy of the writing_] Transcripts of the original were everywhere published and proclaimed... [ Continue Reading ]
Esther 8:14 [So] the posts that rode upon mules [and] camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace. Ver. 14. _So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out_] Thus God provided that his poor afflicted should be speed... [ Continue Reading ]
And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. Ver. 15. _And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king_] Whither he went is not... [ Continue Reading ]
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. Ver. 16. _The Jews had light and gladness_] "Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun," Ecclesiastes 11:7. Such as have been long shut up in a dark dungeon, as Joseph, will surely say so. These Jews ha... [ Continue Reading ]
And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them. Ver. 17. _And in every province, and in every city_] No... [ Continue Reading ]