_And. Instead of these two verses, the Septuagint place (Haydock) what we have [in] chap. xv., with some small variation from the present account in Hebrew. But there is nothing incompatible with the truth. (Calmet) --- The king might be at first displeased; but, seeing the effect which it had upon... [ Continue Reading ]
_Golden. "It is not this golden sceptre which saves the kingdom," said Cyrus, "but faithful friends are the most true and secure sceptre for kings." (Cyrop. viii.) (Calmet) --- Kissed. Hebrew, "touched." (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Kingdom. Chap. vii. 2. This compliment only (Calmet) meant, that every rational (Haydock) request should be granted, Mark. vi. 23._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Prepared. It was not prudent to declare her request, when many improper persons were present; and Aman was not there. (Menochius) --- She thought that the hilarity, occasioned by innocent feasting, (Haydock) might be a means of obtaining more effectually what she wanted. (Menochius) --- If the prud... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wine. The Persians did not drink till the end of the feast, (as the Turks are said to do at present. Tavernier) when they fall upon wine without any moderation. (\'c6lian, Hist. xii. 1.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Children. After military glory, this was deemed the greatest. The king sent presents yearly to those who had most children. (Herodotus i. 136.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_But me. It was thought very singular, when Artaxerxes invited his own brothers. (Plutarch) --- But when he also admitted a foreigner, the nobility became jealous, as that honour was reserved for the king's relations. (Atheneus i.) --- Dine, or feast. Only one meal was taken, (Herodotus vii. 120.) a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whereas. Septuagint, "all these things do not satisfy me, while I behold," &c. Such is the insatiable nature of ambition! (Haydock) --- Gate. He does not clearly mention that he wanted to be adored. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_High. This was to increase the shame. Hence Galba condemned a Roman citizen to be hung on a high white cross. (Suetonius ix.) --- The Jews formerly burned a man in effigy with a cross, pretending to do it in detestation of Aman, but in reality to deride our Saviour, till the emperors forbade the cu... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER V.... [ Continue Reading ]