His wise men; the magicians, whom after the Persian manner he had called together to consult with upon this great and strange emergency. If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews; which they were told, and was generally supposed; but they were not infallibly sure of it. Thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him: this they concluded, either,

1. By rules of policy, because Haman's reputation and interest was hereby sinking, and Mordecai (whom they understood to be a man of great wisdom, and courage, and government of himself) was now got into the king's favour, and thereby was likely to gain an opportunity of making his addresses to the king, who being of a mild disposition, might easily be moved to a dislike (if not revocation) of his own bloody decree, and consequently to a detestation of that person who had procured it. Or,

2. By former experience, and the observation of God's extraordinary actions on the behalf of the Jews, and against their enemies, in this very court and kingdom. Or,

3. By instinct and inspiration to their minds, either from God, who might suggest this to them, as he did other things to other wicked men, Balaam, Caiaphas, &c., for his own greater glory, and the good of his people; or from the devil, who, by God's permission, might know this, and reveal it to them, who sought to him in their superstitious and idolatrous methods.

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