Haman counsels the king B. C. 510. ESTHER. B. C. 510. to destroy the Jews. A M. 3494. Mordecai's matters would stand: for || before Haman from day to day, and A. M. 3494. he had told them that he was a Jew. from month to month, to the twelfth 5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai month, that is, the month Adar. f bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman & full of wrath. Verse 5. 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 on Mordecai, but to destroy the whole race of the Jews; well remembering that his ancestors, the Amalekites, had been formerly driven out of their country, and almost exterminated by the Jews. Verse 6. 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; from his rage against Mordecai; and from Mordecai's reason of this contempt, because he was a Jew, which, as he truly judged, extended itself to all the Jews, and would equally engage them all in the same neglect. And doubtless Haman included those who were returned to their own land; for that was now a province of his kingdom. Verse 7. 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 therefore having tried in this manner, first each month, and then each day in every month, they came to a determination at last, that the thirteenth day of the twelfth month would be most fortunate for the bloody execution. It was in the first month of the year when Haman began to cast lots, and the time for the execution of the Jews was by these lots delayed till the last month of the year; which plainly shows, that though the lot be cast into the lap, yet the whole disposing thereof is from the Lord, Prov. xvi. 33. For hereby almost a whole year intervened between the design and its execution, which gave time for Mordecai to acquaint Queen Esther with it, and for her to intercede with the king for the revoking or 1 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 1 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. 1 Heb. meet, or, equal.- - Heb. Heb. weigh. * Ezra iv. 13; Acts xvi. 20. to destroy them.suspending the decree, and thereby preventing the conspiracy. The reader will find this decree in Joseph. Antiq., lib. 11, cap. 6. Houbigant renders this verse, The lot, which is called Pur, was drawn before Haman from day to day, from month to month, for the twelfth month." See Poole and Dodd. Verse 8. 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 subjects with their pernicious principles, and whom thou mayest easily crush, without any great noise or difficulty; in all the provinces of thy kingdom-For though many of their brethren were returned to their own land, yet great numbers of them stayed behind, either because they preferred their ease and worldly advantages before their spiritual profit, or they wanted conveniences or opportunity for removing; and their laws are diverse from all people-They have rites, and customs, and a religion peculiar to themselves; and therefore are justly offensive to all thy subjects, and may either infect them with their notions, or occasion great dissensions and distractions among them; neither keep they the king's laws-As is manifest by Mordecai's bold contempt of thy late edict concerning me, which contempt being shown by him as a Jew, the whole nation are involved in his crime, and are prepared to do the same when they have occasion; therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them—To wit, to live in this kingdom. I do not seek herein so much my own revenge as thy service. Verse 9. Let it be written that they may be destroyed-Let a written edict from the king be pub lished 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 paid by a private person, being probably above three millions sterling, and shows how outrageously he was bent on the destruction of the Jews. Verse 10. 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 badge of his supreme authority under the king, and that he might use it for the sealing of this decree which was now made, or of any other that might be made hereafter. The Agagite, the Jews' enemy-Such he was, both by inclination, as he was an Amalekite, and especially by this destructive design and resolution. Verse 11. 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 so many people unheard to death to please a favourite! Verses 12, 13. 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 to take effect; for the Jews might find some way to deliver themselves, or might steal out of the kingdom: but undoubtedly this was so ordered by the overruling providence of God. And to take the spoil of them for a prey-Which was to in || r destruction of the Jews. B. C. 510. 13 And the letters were sent by A. M. 3494. 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. t 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. P1 Kings xxi. 8; Chapter viii. 8, 10. Chap. viii. 12, &c.- Chapter viii. 11. Chap. viii. 15; Prov. xxix. 2. -4 Chapter viii, 10. - Chap. viii. 13. duce the people to use the greater severity and readiness to execute this edict for their own advantage. Verses 14, 15. 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 this decree made in the king's name, or by some particular and succeeding command which Haman obtained from the king. And the king and Haman sat down to drink-Haman was afraid, probably, lest the king's conscience should smite him for what he had done, and he should begin to wish it undone again; to prevent which he engrossed him to himself, and kept him drinking. This cursed method many take to drown their convictions, and harden their own hearts, and the hearts of others, in sin. But the city Shushan was perplexed-Not only the Jews, but a great number of the citizens, either because they were related to them, or engaged with them in worldly concerns; or out of humanity and compassion toward so vast a number of innocent people, appointed as sheep for the slaughter. They might apprehend likewise that, upon the execution of the decree, some sedition or tumult might ensue; that in so great a slaughter it was hard to tell who would escape without being killed or plundered, because those who were employed in this bloody work would be more mindful to enrich themselves than to observe their orders. They might also fear that a public judgment from God would come upon them all for so bloody a decree. We see in the exaltation of Haman, recorded in this chapter, and in his subsequent fall, that God sometimes permits wicked men to arrive at the highest degree of honour and power, but that he soon brings them low, and exposes them to shame and The Jews fast and mourn, 1-3. Esther is informed of the design, 4-9. Mordecai presses her to intercede with the king, 10-14. She desires all the Jews to keep a solemn fast, 15-19. B. C. 510. A. M. 3494. WH 2 And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 1 4 So Esther's maids and her 2 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. a 2 Samuel i. 11. b Josh. vii. 6; Ezra xxvii. 30.—— Gen. xxvii. 34.. Heb. sackcloth and ashes were laid under many, Isa. NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. e lviii. 5; Dan. ix. 3.2 Heb. eunuchs. -3 Heb. whom he had Verse 3. And many lay in sackcloth and ashesAll day long they fasted, and wept, and lamented; and in the night many lay, not in their beds, but in sack or haircloth strewed with ashes. Verse 4. So Esther's maids came and told it her Verse 1. And put on sackcloth with ashes-That is, he put on a garment of sackcloth or hair, and sprinkled ashes upon his head. And cried with a loud and bitter cry-To express his deep sense of the mischief coming upon his people. It was bravely done thus publicly to espouse what he knew to be a righteous cause, and the cause of God, even then when it seemed to be a sinking and desperate cause. The latter Targum upon the book of Esther gives us the following account of Mordecai's behaviour upon this sad occasion: "He made his complaints in the midst of the streets, saying, 'What a heavy decree is this, which the king and Haman have passed, not-Namely, that Mordecai appeared before the king's against a part of us, but against us all, to root us out of the earth! Whereupon all the Jews flocked about him, and, having caused the book of the law to be brought to the gate of Shushan, he, being covered with sackcloth, read the words of Deut. iv. 30,|| 31, and then exhorted them to fasting, humiliation, and repentance, after the example of the Ninevites." Verse 2. And came even before the king's gateThat his cry might come to the ears of Esther: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth-He durst not take his place in the gate, || gate in sackcloth. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved-Imagining some mischief had befallen him, and not yet knowing what it was; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai-That so he might be capable of returning to his former place, if not of coming to acquaint her with the cause of his sorrow. But he received it not-Which, no doubt, very much increased her grief and surprise. Verses 7, 8. And of the sum of money, &c.— Namely, the ten thousand talents he had offered to procure the king's consent to their destruction. And 4 9 And Hatach came and told Esther the enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews words of Mordecai. charge her, &c.—Not only in his own name, to whom she had manifested singular respect, but also in the name of the great God. son; of 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, It is probable God hath raised thee to this honour for this very season. We should every one of us consider for what end God has put us in the place where we are. And when an opportunity offers of serving God and our generation, we must take care not to let it slip. Verse 11. Whosoever shall come into the inner court-Within which the king's residence and throne were; who is not called-This was decreed to main- Verse 16. And fast ye for me— -And pray, which tain both the majesty and the safety of the king's perwas the main business, to which fasting was only a and by the contrivance of the greater officers help; and neither eat nor drink three days-Namestate, that few or none might have access to the ly, in such a manner as you used to do. Abstain king but themselves and their friends. I have not from all set meals, and all pleasant food, and, as much been called, &c.-Which gives me just cause to fear as possible, from all food, for that space of time, in that the king's affections are alienated from me, and token of humiliation for sin, and a sense of our unthat neither my person nor petition will be accept-worthiness of God's mercies. I also and my maidable to him. Verses 13, 14. Think not with thyself—Flatter not thyself with a vain hope, that because thou art in the king's house, and an eminent member of his family, even the queen, that thou shalt be spared, or find any greater privilege in his house than the Jews do abroad. Thou art a Jew, and if the rest be cut off thou wilt not escape. For if thou holdest thy peace at this time-If, through fear, thou decline the service; then shall deliverance arise to the Jews from another place-From another hand, and by other means, which God can, and I am fully persuaded will, raise up. This was the language of strong faith, against hope believing in hope; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed-By the righteous judgment of God, punishing thy cowardice and selfseeking, and thy want of love to God, and to his and thy own people; and who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?—|| 2 ens will fast likewise-They were, doubtless, either of the Jewish nation or proselytes, and pious persons, who, she knew, would sincerely join with her in these holy duties. And so will I go in unto the king-To intercede for my people. Which is not according to the law-Namely, the king's law, now mentioned, but it is according to God's law, and therefore whatever comes of it, I will venture, and not count my life dear to myself, so I may serve God and his church. And if I perish, I perish-Although my danger be great and evident, considering the expressness of that law, the uncertainty of the king's mind, and that severity which he showed to my predecessor Vashti; yet, rather than neglect my duty to God and to his people, I will go to the king, and cast myself cheerfully and resolutely upon God's providence for my safety and success. If I should be condemned to lose my life, I cannot lose it in a better cause. 475 Esther invites the king and ESTHER. CHAPTER V. Haman to her banquet. Esther, finding favour with the king, invites him and Haman to a banquet, 1-5. She invites them to a second, 6–8. Haman makes a gallows for Mordecai, 9-14. 2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther || banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and the queen standing in the court, that she ob- it shall be granted thee: and what is thy retained favour in his sight: and the king held quest? even to the half of the kingdom it shall out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his be performed. 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 a Chap. iv. 16.- b Chapter iv. 11; Chap. vi. 4. NOTES ON CHAPTER V. Verses 1, 2. It came to pass on the third day--Of which see the notes on chap. iv. 16. Esther put on her royal apparel--That she might render herself as amiable in the king's eyes as she could, and so obtain her request. The king sat upon his royal throne, over against the gate, &c.—So that he could see every one that came into the court. And the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre--In testimony that he pardoned her presumption, and was ready to grant her request, and therefore inviting her to approach. So Esther drew near and touched the top of the sceptre-In token of her thankful acceptance of the king's favour, and of her reverence and submission: for, as the sceptre was the ensign of the highest and most absolute authority in the king, so the queen's touching it, or, as some say, kissing it, was a token of her subjection and thankfulness for his favour. Verse 3. What is thy request? &c.-So far was the king from accounting her an offender, that he was glad to see her, and desirous to oblige her. Thus God, in his providence, often prevents the fears,|| and outdoes the hopes of his people. It shall be given thee to the half of the kingdom--A usual form of speech among kings, when their hearts are enlarged and overflow with affection to others, or when they give persons the freest liberty to ask what they please. The meaning is, Nothing in reason shall be denied thee. Verse 4. Let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet--She thought it prudent not to open her mind to him immediately, but first to try how he 7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is: 1 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. e Mark vi. 23. Chap. vii. 2.- - Chapter ix. 12.1 Heb. to do. stood affected to her, and endeavour to endear herself more to him, that he might be the better disposed to grant her request. To accomplish which purpose still more effectually, she desired to entertain him at her banquet a second time, verse 8. And she, each time, invited Haman, that by showing such respect to the king's great favourite she might insinuate herself the more into the king's affection; and that, if she saw fit, she might then present her request to the king. Verse 6. The banquet of wine--So called, because it consisted not of meats, which probably the king had plentifully eaten before, but of fruits and wines; which banquets were very frequent among the Persians, after they had done eating; for they did not drink wine, but water, with their victuals. Verse 8. I will do to-morrow as the king hath said --I will acquaint thee with my humble request. She did not present her petition at this time, but delayed it till the next meeting; either, because she was a little daunted with the king's presence, and had not yet courage to propose it; or, because she would further engage the king's affection to her, by a second entertainment, and would also intimate to him, that her petition was of a more than ordinary nature: but principally by direction of the divine providence, which took away her courage of utterance for this time, that she might have a better opportu nity to present her request the next time, by that great accident which happened before it. For the high honour which the king bestowed on Mordecai the next day made way for her petition, which came in very seasonably at the banquet of wine. |