Now 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. Ver. 1. _Now it came to pass on the third d... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 2. _And it was so_] God, the great heart dispose... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 3. _Then said the king unto her_] He perceived both by this her bold adventure, and also by her countenance and habit, that she had some very great suit... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 4. _And Esther answered_] She did not presently pour forth her whole heart into the king's bosom, rail against Haman, beg for her people, &c., but prudently... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 5. _Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste_] Heb. Accelerate or hasten Haman, _sc._ to an ill bargain, as it proved the very next day. L... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 6. _And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine_] Which seemeth to have been after the other ba... [ Continue Reading ]
Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request [is]; Ver. 7. _My petition and my request is_] She speaks to the king in his own very words: and so must we if we mean to speed in heaven. Take unto you words, and say, Take away all iniquity, and give good, &c. Produce God's own words in p... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 8. _If I have found favour in the sight of the ki... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 9. _Then went Haman forth that day joyful_] _Saeculi laetitia est impunita nequitia,_ saith an anci... [ Continue Reading ]
Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. Ver. 10. _Nevertheless Haman refrained himself_] Much ado he had to forbear mischieving him; he was fain to force himself thereunto, as the word signifieth; for his fingers even itc... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 11. _And Haman told them of the glory of his riches_] Favourites, observing their _... [ Continue Reading ]
_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._ Ver. 12. _Haman said moreover_] He makes no end of vaunting and vapouring; and all to aggravate the indignity... [ Continue Reading ]
Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. Ver. 13. _Yet all this availeth me nothing_] It is seldom seen, saith a right reverend interpreter here, that God allows unto the greatest darlings of the world a perfect contentment. Something they must... [ Continue Reading ]
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.... [ Continue Reading ]