PREFACEЕ.

THE dedication prefixed to these Lectures accounts for their being published. I believe it is because there is less of what is purely devotional in the Book of Esther than in any other book of Scripture, that the attention of my people was attracted to an exposition of it in which points bearing upon the leading doctrines of grace are here and there illustrated. As to the form in which the Lectures are presented, it may be mentioned, that they are printed just as they were delivered, with the exception of a few verbal corrections.

The Book of Esther might have been more graphically commented on. There are four pictures which might have been selected from it, and sketched, viz. that of Mordecai and Esther, and of the king and Haman,— which, if well drawn, with the lessons which the history of each teaches, might have formed an interesting study. But as the understood and usual plan of lecturing in Scotland, is to examine and expound chapter after chapter of the Divine word in order, so that plan was adhered to in the delivery of the following series of discourses. The charge may be brought against the adoption of this method, that it leads to a repetition

PREFACE.

of the same truths in different words: but when we have in the Bible "line upon line, and precept upon precept," it does not seem that there can be great error in pursuing a similar course in the exposition of it.

But leaving the method which has been followed to be approved or censured as it may deserve, I would here take leave to offer a remark or two upon the general subject of the exposition of Scripture. There are three things, I apprehend, which must be kept in view by a conscientious and judicious expounder of the Old Testament. First, he must endeavour to ascertain the precise meaning of the Divine word, and its application to the people to whom it was originally addressed. This is indispensable; because, whatever other purpose the Old Testament Scriptures were designed to answer, they were certainly intended to instruct and guide the Jewish nation. Then, Secondly, in what relates to types and to prophecy, care must be taken to bring out the true spiritual signification of the type,-and to demonstrate the fulfilment of the prophecy. There must be no wresting of the words of inspiration at the bidding of fancy! And again, Thirdly, there is a practical use to be made of Scripture, for "doctrine, and reproof, and correction, and instruction in righteousness." Here a wide field is opened up to the expositor, although in traversing it he must be careful to be guided by the analogy of faith. Thus guided, he can bring one part of the word to throw light upon another; and can enforce doctrine and duty from passages which seem at first sight to contain in

them little that is worthy of notice. Now it is this kind of exposition,-which may be termed the suggestive, as contrasted with the other two kinds, which may be called respectively the literal and the explanatory,—that is especially applicable to such a book as that of Esther. If we were to restrict our remarks to the mere incidents recorded in it, and to endeavour to depict only the manners and customs represented in it, a very small space would contain every thing that required to be stated. But no portion of Scripture must be isolated from the rest. And when we look at what is presented to us in this Book, and compare it with other portions of the sacred record, we find that it is suggestive of important principles, which refer both to doctrine and to duty. It is on this plan that these lectures have been composed.

Before concluding this preface, I would take the opportunity to say, that in the matter of suggestive exposition good old Matthew Henry stands pre-eminent. His intimate acquaintance with the whole word of God,his singular power of comparing spiritual things with spiritual, his sound views of evangelical doctrine, and his deep personal piety, render his "Commentary," with all its quaintness and homeliness, in my humble estimation, the best which we yet possess in the English language. Any one who reads Dr. M'Crie's Lectures on the Book of Esther, or those here given, will perceive that Henry's Commentary must have been freely consulted.

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In one sentence more, I would say that for the illustration of Eastern manners Kitto's Illustrated Commentary upon the Bible has been of great use to me, and that I have not scrupled to draw from it whatever might serve to illustrate the particular passage under review.

ALEXANDER DAVIDSON.

ABERDEEN, 29th April 1859.