_A.M. 3494. B.C. 510._ Haman, offended at Mordecai, resolves to destroy all the Jews, Esther 3:1. He obtains an order from the king to have them all slain on one day, Esther 3:7. This order is sent throughout the kingdom, Esther 3:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
_After these things_ About five years after, as appears from Esther 3:7. _Did Ahasuerus promote Haman the Agagite_ An Amalekite, of the seed-royal of that nation, whose kings were successively called Agag. _And set his seat above all the princes_ Gave him the first place and seat which was next the... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the king had so commanded concerning him_ To bow the knee, and give reverence to all great persons, was a common respect due to them, and there needed not a particular command from the king requiring it to be shown by all his servants to Haman; since, no doubt, they paid it to all princes, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_To see whether Mordecai's matters would stand_ Whether he would persist in his refusal, and what the event of it would be; _for he had told them that he was a Jew_ And therefore did not deny this reverence to Haman out of pride, or any personal grudge against him, much less from a rebellious mind,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then was Haman full of rage_ Josephus tells us, that Haman, taking notice of this singularity in Mordecai, asked him what countryman he was, and finding him to be a Jew, broke out into a violent exclamation at his insolence, and in his rage formed the desperate resolution, not only to be revenged o... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone_ He thought that particular vengeance was unsuitable to his quality, and to the greatness of the injury; _wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews_ Which he attempted from that implacable hatred which, as an Amalekite, he had against them; f... [ Continue Reading ]
_They cast Pur, that is, the lot_ “Haman, being determined to destroy Mordecai and the Jews, called together his diviners, to find out what day would be most lucky for his putting this design into execution. The way of divination, then in use among the eastern people, was by casting _lots;_ and ther... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Haman said unto King Ahasuerus_ After he had found which would be a lucky day for putting his design into execution; _There is a certain people scattered abroad_ Mean and contemptible, not worthy to be named; _and dispersed among the people_ Who therefore, if tolerated, may poison all thy subje... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let it be written that they may be destroyed_ Let a written edict from the king be published for that purpose; _and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver_ Whether these were Hebrew, or Babylonish, or Grecian talents, we cannot certainly know. But whichsoever they were, it was a vast sum to be p... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the king took his ring from his hand_, &c. Without any examination into the condition of the people, he consented to their destruction. So loath are men that love their pleasure to take any pains to distinguish between truth and falsehood. _And gave it unto Haman_ That he might keep it as a bad... [ Continue Reading ]
_The silver is given to thee_ Keep it for thy own use, I do not desire it. I accept thy offer for the deed. So that he gave him power to draw up what decree he pleased, and seal it with the king's ring; but as for the money, he assured him he would have none of it. What inhumanity was this! to give... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then were the king's scribes called_ This he did so speedily, though it was a year before the intended execution, lest the king should change his mind, either through his own clemency, or the persuasion of others. It was, however, not wisely judged to let his design be known so long before it was t... [ Continue Reading ]
_The copy of the writing to be given in every province_ Copies of this original decree of the king were sent into every province, and there ordered to be published, requiring the people to be ready against the day appointed. _The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment_ Either by th... [ Continue Reading ]