CHAPTER II _The counsellors advise that a selection of virgins should be_ _made throughout the empire, out of whom the king should choose_ _one to be queen in place of Vashti_, 1-4. _Account of Mordecai and his cousin Esther_, 5-7. _She is chosen among the young women, and is placed under the_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 2:2. _LET THERE BE FAIR YOUNG VIRGINS SOUGHT FOR THE KING_] This was the usual way in which the _harem_ or _seraglio_ was furnished: the finest women in the land, whether of high or low birth, were sought out, and brought to the _harem_. They all became the king's concubines: but _one_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 2:3. _HEGE THE KING'S CHAMBERLAIN_] הגא סריס המלך _Hege seris_ _hammelech_, "Hege, the king's _eunuch_;" so the Septuagint, Vulgate, Targum, and Syriac. In the Eastern countries the women are intrusted to the care of the _eunuchs_ only. _LET THEIR THINGS FOR PURIFICATION BE GIVEN THEM... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 2:5. _WHOSE NAME_ WAS _MORDECAI_] The Targum says, "He was the son of Jair, the son of Shimea, the son of Gera, the son of Kish." And "this was the same Shimea that cursed David; and whom David forbade Joab to slay because he saw, in the spirit of prophecy, that he was to be the predece... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 2:7. _HE BROUGHT UP HADASSAH_] הדשה _hadassah_ signifies a _myrtle_ in Chaldee: this was probably her first or _Babylonish_ _name_. When she came to the _Persian_ court, she was called _Esther_, [Persian] _aster_, or [Persian] _sitara_, which signifies a _star_ in Persian: the name is u... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 2:9. _THE MAIDEN PLEASED HIM_] He conceived a partiality for her above the rest, probably because of the propriety of her deportment, and her engaging though unassuming manners. _SEVEN MAIDENS_] These were to attend her to the _bath_, to anoint and adorn her, and be her servants in gen... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 2:10. _ESTHER HAD NOT SHOWED HER PEOPLE_] This might have prejudiced her with the king; for it was certainly no credit at the Persian court to be a _Jew_; and we shall find from the sequel that those who were in the Persian dominions were far from being _reputable_, or in a _safe state_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 12. _SIX MONTHS WITH OIL OF MYRRH_] See on Esther 2:3. The reason of this purification seems not to be apprehended by any writer I have seen. The most beautiful of all the young virgins of all the provinces of Babylon were to be selected; and these were taken out of all _classes_ of the peopl... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 13. _WHATSOEVER SHE DESIRED_] When any of the young women were called to go to the king, it appears that it was an ordinance that whatever kind of _dress stuff, colour, jewels_, c., they thought best to set off their persons, and render them more engaging, should be given them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _SHE RETURNED INTO THE SECOND HOUSE_] This was the place where the king's _concubines_ were kept. They went out no more, and were never given in marriage to any man, and saw the king's face no more unless specially called. _CUSTODY OF SHAASHGAZ_] This is probably another _Persian_ name; ... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _SHE REQUIRED NOTHING_] She left this entirely to her friend Hege, who seems to have been intent on her success. She therefore left her decorations to his judgment alone, and went in that dress and in those ornaments which _he_ deemed most suitable.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 16. _THE TENTH MONTH - TEBETH_] Answering to part of our _December_ and _January_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _SET THE ROYAL CROWN UPON HER HEAD_] Made her what is now called in the East the SULTANA, the _queen_. She was the mistress of all the rest of the wives, all of whom were obliged to pay her the most profound respect.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 18. _MADE A RELEASE TO THE PROVINCES_] Remitted some kind of _tribute_ or _impost_, in honour of Esther, at her coronation, as our kings generally do when they are crowned, ordering a discharge from prison of many who are confined for minor offenses. As it was the custom of the Persian kings t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 2:21. _MORDECAI SAT IN THE KINGS GATE_] Mordecai might have been one of the _officers_ of the king, as the _gate_ was the place where such usually attended to await the king's call. It is not likely that he was the _porter_; had he been only such, _Haman_ could have removed him at once.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 2:22. _WAS KNOWN TO MORDECAI_] Josephus says that a Jew, named _Barnabasus_, overheard the plot, told it to Mordecai, Mordecai to Esther, and Esther to the king, in Mordecai's name; and _he_ was registered as the discoverer.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 2:23. _IT WAS FOUND OUT_] It was proved against them, in consequence of which they were _hanged_. Perhaps the words _vaiyittalu al ets, they were hung upon wood_ or _a tree_, may refer to their being _impaled_. A pointed stake is set upright in the ground, and the culprit is taken, plac... [ Continue Reading ]