_Drink. Wine was only used at great feasts, Ecclesiasticus xxxi. 17. Water was served up first, from the river Choaspes only. The king and his eldest son were allowed to drink of "the golden waters," of which they alone had 70 fountains. (Atheneus xii. 2.) --- Their wine was brought from Chelbon, ne... [ Continue Reading ]
_People. She was more concerned for these than for half of the kingdom. Hence all fasted and prayed, and Esther obtained their deliverance. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Perish. Three terms of the same import express the greatness of the misery. (Haydock) --- King. Whose revenue will be greatly impaired, (Calmet) and character injured, for having given such power to a monster. (Haydock) --- The kings of Persia had taken many precautions not to be thus deluded, havi... [ Continue Reading ]
_What. Hebrew, "where, who durst entertain this design?" (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Astonished. Horror of a guilty conscience is the first punishment. (St. Chrysostom) (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Set. Hebrew, "of the palace," (Haydock) belonging to the queen. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_My own. Hebrew, "will he force....in the house?" (Haydock) --- Those who know with what jealousy the Persians treated their wives, so at to punish with death those who crossed the road before the queens, (Plut. Artax.) or touched them, will not wonder at the indignation of Assuerus, (Calmet) though... [ Continue Reading ]
_Harbona. Cr.[Greek?], "Bougathan." (Haydock) --- He had been to call Aman to the feast. (Jos.[Josephus?]) --- Little dependance is to be had on false friendship, when a man is disgraced. (Worthington) --- Upon it. His body was perhaps afterwards exposed in the street, chap. xvi. 18. It is not clear... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER VII.... [ Continue Reading ]