VI. (1) COULD NOT THE KING SLEEP. — Literally, _the king's sleep fled away._ Here, in the most striking way in the whole book, the workings of God’s providence on behalf of His people are shown. “God Himself is here, though His name be absent.” The king’s sleepless night falls after the day when Ham... [ Continue Reading ]
IT WAS FOUND WRITTEN. — See Esther 2:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT HONOUR AND DIGNITY HATH BEEN DONE. — The names of those who were thought worthy of being accounted “royal benefactors” were enrolled on a special list, and they were supposed to be suitably rewarded, though not necessarily at the time. The reward however was. in theory at any rate, a thing to w... [ Continue Reading ]
HAMAN WAS COME. — It being at length morning, Haman had come to the palace in due course, and was waiting in the outer court till the king should call for him. The king in the inner court ponders what recompense to bestow upon Mordecai, Haman in the outer court stands ready primed with a request tha... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOM THE KING DELIGHTETH ... — Literally, _in whose honour the hing delighteth. _... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE ROYAL APPAREL BE BROUGHT ... — These exceedingly great distinctions Haman suggests, thinking with unaccountable vanity (for nothing is said or implied as to any service rendered by him to the king) that the king must necessarily have been referring to him, and in a moment he is irretrievably... [ Continue Reading ]
NOBLE. — See above, Esther 1:3, Note. STREET. — See above, Esther 4:6, Note.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE JEW. — Mordecai’s nationality would doubtless be given in the book of records. Thus Esther, in urging her petition by-and-by, has already on her side the king’s good-will to one prominent member of the proscribed race.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN TOOK HAMAN ... — It would be a grim and curious study to analyse Hainan’s feelings at this juncture. Various thoughts were mingled there. Self-reproach, perhaps, that he had so thoughtlessly been the cause of the present display, bitter hatred of his rival now multiplied a thousandfold, and the... [ Continue Reading ]
MORDECAI CAME AGAIN TO THE KING’S GATE. — He had received his reward, and to the Eastern, who sees continually the Vizier and the poor man exchange places, there would be nothing startling in this resumption of the former humble post. HIS HEAD COVERED. — In token of mourning.... [ Continue Reading ]
TOLD. — The same word as on a former occasion. Esther 5:11. Then the tale was one of boastful pride in what he had, and no less boastful pride in what he hoped to be; now it is of bitter disappointment and bitter anticipation, not brightened by any of the thoughts which blunt the keenness of many a... [ Continue Reading ]