CHAPTER III.

1 Haman, advanced by the king, and despised by Mordecai, seeketh revenge upon all the Jews. 7 He casteth lots. 8 He obtaineth by calumniation a decree of the king to put the Jews to death.

FTER these things did king Ahasuerus

promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.

2 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.

3 Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?

4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.

6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

7 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. 8¶ And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not 'for the king's profit to suffer them.

9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.

10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' 'enemy.

11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.

12 Then were the king's 'scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of

VOL. II.

every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.

13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.

14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.

15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

PART of the design of this singular history has been developed. One has been put down; and another lifted up. The wickedness of men, in their drunken festivity in one respect, and in their murderous design in another, has opened the way, in some part, for what is about to follow. Let us now observe these further events, and seek to improve them for our mutual welfare.

Haman's advancement is the first thing which strikes our attention in the chapter before us. Where such capricious feelings ruled, as in the courts of these eastern princes, we need not be surprised at any strange events occurring; but we ought to observe the hand of God in them. For some cause or other, Haman the Agagite attracted the king's notice, and he advanced him above all the princes that were with him. The king commanded that all should do him reveThe rence; but Mordecai would not do so. law of the God of the Jews forbad the giving It is of undue reverence to any creature. assumed, therefore, that Mordecai acted in this respect on principle; and that principle was of the highest order, as founded upon the plain and express word of the living God. (Ps. xv. 4.)

Haman, being a vain and ambitious man, was exceedingly offended at Mordecai's conduct. Possibly this unbecoming reverence

N

was one of the things which he desired at the king's hands; and his pride could not brook the affront, which he thought Mordecai's refusal to bow down before him cast upon him. He was, therefore, full of wrath; and, when he found that Mordecai was a Jew, he determined to take ample revenge. He would not only destroy him, but all his people also. The words are very significant. He thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; but he sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole dominion of Ahasuerus (v. 6). This was the design which God foresaw would be formed in this wicked man's mind against his people; and this design he determined to frustrate, as in due time we shall see.

To make matters sure, he first consulted his wicked diviners to name a time for the bloody work; and here again it pleased God to interpose. Instead of fixing upon an early day, it was put off for nearly a whole year (v. 7). Having, at length, fixed the day, he next goes to the king, makes known his intention, and by false accusations and offering a certain sum of money as a sort of bribe, he obtains the king's permission (v. 8—11). Then the royal letters were issued throughout every part of the king's dominions, authorising all his subjects upon the day specified, to destroy, kill, and cause to perish, all Jews, young and old, in one day, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. And when this was done, the king and Haman sat down to drink, as if nothing had happened; but the city was perplexed (v. 12-15).

Here, then, you will observe, every thing seemed to further this wicked man's design. Nothing remained for its full execution, but the arrival of the day when it was to take place. What shall we say? How far may some men proceed in their wicked devices, before they are found out! What deliberate impiety may some sinners scheme, with scheme, with every thing, humanly speaking, in their power to execute their designs; and yet, after all, be permitted to go only just so far as to prove, that God can stay their purpose and defeat their design. In the present instance, He that sitteth in the heavens laughed. The Lord held this proud murder

ous sinner in derision. He allowed him to display his rancorous enmity in its darkest colours; then took him in his own counsels; and in the net, which he laid for others, was he caught himself, and brought to a shameful and fearful end.

CHAPTER IV.

1 The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews. 4 Esther, understanding it, sendeth to Mordecai, who sheweth the cause, and adviseth her to undertake the suit. 10 She excusing herself is threatened by Mordecai. 15 She appointing a fast undertaketh the suit.

W

HEN Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;

2 And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.

king's commandment and his decree came, 3 And in every province, whithersoever the there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and 'many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

2

4 So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.

5 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.

6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate.

7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.

8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.

9 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.

10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;

11 All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that who

soever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

words.

13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.

14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there 'enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

15 ¶ Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,

16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.

(1) Heb. sackcloth and ashes | (3) Heb.whom he had set before her. were laid under many. (4) Heb. respiration. (5) Heb. found.

(2) Heb. eunuchs.

(6) Heb. passed.

THIS chapter informs us how Mordecai was distressed when he heard what Haman had done; by what means he made Esther acquainted with the subject; what he wished her to do in the matter; how, in the first instance, she shrunk from the task proposed; and how, in the end, she was pervailed on to do as Mordecai desired. All these things must be viewed in their place, as forming part of the wonderfully providential scheme here developed. Many things are hereby suggested.

We ought to be always suitably affected by a sense of our danger. Had Mordecai evinced a listless security, with such a sentence hanging over his head, it would have argued the utmost insensibility. But he was distressed. He was humbled. He mourned. He cried aloud for grief. The wickedness of this bloody and barbarous design; the danger of

ever in endless ruin? Are there not many exposed to that danger? Are not all exposed to it? Have not all sinned and come short of the glory of God? How do you feel respecting that danger? alarmed?

Are you

you

Are Are you humbled? grieved? Do you cry aloud to God for help and deliverance?

You ought not to lose an instant of time, but take immediate steps for escaping so great a destruction. This was how Mordecai acted. He tried to move Esther. He wished her to move the king. He hoped by such means deliverance might be had. She hesitated at first: at length she took courage, and did so. Now, what are you doing? If you are alarmed for the peril of your soul, can you sit still? Will you not be anxious for its safety? Will you not be concerned to know whether there be any prospect of mercy or salvation? Will you not consult the scriptures? Will you not hear the word? Will you not seek the Lord Jesus? Will you not pray for his grace and salvation? The question is, are you affected by the sense of your danger? Are you thus earnest for the life of your soul?

In this matter you should yield to no discouragement; but cast yourself upon the mercy of God in Christ, for the life of your soul. Esther's case and yours, though alike in one respect, namely, that of danger, is utterly unlike in another. She had not been. called into the king's presence for some time; therefore she feared to go. The case is not so with you. You are continually

called to come to the Lord of heaven and earth, and be blessed for ever. She knew that no one could venture with safety into the king's presence, unless specially called so to do. You have not that fear to deter you; for you are called; you are invited; nay, you are entreated to come and be saved. She knew, also, that if any one ventured uncalled to enter the royal presence, if the

king did not hold out the golden sceptre, death would be the result. Such is not the case with Not only are you invited to you. come, but the golden sceptre of love and favour is held out to you, even before you begin to seek, that you may come with greater courage and hope. Her going in would not be according to the law. Yours is according to the broad truth of heaven. And how did she go at last? With this feeling, "And if I perish, I perish” (v. 16). Go you in the same way to Christ. Yea, go, not doubtfully nor despondingly; but go in hope. Yea, go believing that he will save you, and pardon, and bless you for ever and ever.

CHAPTER V.

1 Esther, adventuring on the king's favour, obtaineth the grace of the golden sceptre, and inviteth the king and Haman to a banquet. 6 She, being encouraged by the king in her suit, inviteth them to another banquet the next day. 9 Haman, proud of his advancement, repineth at the contempt of Mordecai. 14 By the counsel of Zeresh he buildeth for him a pair of gallows.

NOW

TOW it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.

2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.

4 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.

5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

6¶ And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;

8 If I have found favour in the sight of the

king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and 'to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.

9¶ Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.

10 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and 'called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.

11 And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.

13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.

14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a 'gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.

We have followed this interesting history up to the point of Esther's determination, at the urgent request of Mordecai, to go in unto the king, and make request for the life of her people. We have also seen the frame of mind in which she came to that determination. She entreated that they would humble themselves before God, and pray for the success of the design; adding, "So will I go in unto the king; and if I perish, I perish." (ch. iv. 16.) Now, all this is exceedingly instructive. You see how you should act for the life of your soul. Be humbled before God. Be earnest in prayer for his blessing. Go to the Saviour under a full consciousness of your misery and danger; and place all your dependence upon his gracious favour and royal clemency. If you refuse to go, you must perish. If you do go, and he reject you, you can but perish. But if you really

go, and rest yourselves upon his salvation, you will never perish; but you will find everlasting life. In one sense, you may properly say, If I perish, I perish; but, in another, you may truly add, If I am saved, I am saved. Let holy fear urge you on; but let holy hope preponderate in your mind.

Such was the state of Esther's mind. Let us now see what was the issue. You are told, that on the third day, when the king was sitting upon his royal throne, in the royal house, she went in and stood before him (v. 1). What was the consequence? Was she rejected? Did the sentence of death go forth against her? Was she doomed to perish? No. She obtained favour in his sight. He held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. This was the pledge of royal favour. She drew near and touched the top of the sceptre, in token of her sense of the kindness, and her desire to prefer her request. Is it not thus the sinner is received when he comes to Christ? Is he not welcomed? Does he not find favour? Is he not encouraged to draw near, and open all the wants of his soul before his gracious Lord? Whom hath the Lord ever rejected who came to him? Whom hath he frowned from his presence, or bidden to depart? Hath not that promise always been found to be true, "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out?" What numbers on earth, what multitudes in heaven, can thus set to their seal, that the Lord is merciful and gracious to all them that draw near in the faith of Jesus Christ the Lord?

What followed upon this interview? Full liberty was given to Esther to ask what she pleased. Sure promise was given that it should be granted. "What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom." (v. 3). Is it not so with all them that seek the Lord? What said Christ to the blind man? "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?" What said he to his disciples? "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." What says the apostle, "God is able to make all grace abound toward you." Such is the gracious spirit of the gospel. Such is the royal language of

our glorious king Jesus. Ask, and you shall have. "Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." (Mark x. 51; John xv. 7; 2 Cor. ix. 8; John xvi. 24.)

Esther proceeded with great caution. The king's favourite was the bitter enemy. The matter must be gradually opened. This she did in the manner here stated; and thus prepared the way for the full statement of her case. But look at Haman. The coils are fastening with great rapidity around his feet; and his end is drawing near. To be called to meet the king and queen at the banquet, delighted him. To see Mordecai sitting in the gate of the king, tormented him. To tell of all his glory elated his vainglorious soul. glorious soul. But all availed nothing while Mordecai was there. Mordecai, therefore, must be destroyed. Let him be hanged high in the air. Prepare the gallows fifty cubits high; and ask the king to hang him thereon. Such was the advice of his friends. what was the issue? Instead of Mordecai, on that very gallows died Haman himself! Thus, the ruin he intended for another, fell upon himself. His feet were caught in his own snare, which he laid for another. He perished by his own wicked devisings. Thus the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation; and how to reserve the unjust to the day of judgment to be punished. Thus, too, can he disappoint the devices of his enemies; and cause the ruin, which they intend for others, to fall upon themselves. (Ps. xxi. 8-13.)

CHAPTER VI.

But

1 Ahasuerus, reading in the chronicles of the good service done by Mordecai, taketh care for his reward. 4 Haman, coming to sue that Mordecai might be hanged, unawares giveth counsel that he might do him honour. 12 Complaining of his misfortune, his friends tell him of his final destiny.

N that night 'could not the king sleep, the commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.

2 And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of door, who sought to lay hand on the king the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the

Ahasuerus.

3 And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this?