CHAPTER IV _On hearing the king's decree to exterminate the Jews, Mordecai_ _mourns, and clothes himself in sackcloth_, 1, 2. _The Jews are filled with consternation_, 3. _Esther, perceived Mordecai in distress at the palace gate, sends_ _her servant Hatach to inquire the reason_, 4-6. _Hatach... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 4:2. _BEFORE THE KING'S GATE_] He could not enter into the gate, of the place where the officers waited, because he was in the habit of a mourner; for this would have been contrary to law.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 4:3. _FASTING, AND WEEPING, AND WAILING_] How astonishing, that in all this there is not the slightest intimation given _of_ _praying to God_!... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 4:4. _SENT RAIMENT_] She supposed that he must have been spoiled of his raiment by some means; and therefore sent him clothing.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 4:5. _THEN CALLED ESTHER FOR HATACH_] This eunuch the king had appointed to wait upon her, partly, as is still the case in the East, to _serve her_, and partly, to _observe her conduct_; for no despot is ever exempt from a twofold torture, _jealousy_ and _suspicion_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 4:8. _THAT SHE SHOULD GO IN UNTO THE KING_] The Greek adds, "Remember the time of your low estate, and in what manner you have been nourished, and carried in my arms; and that Haman, who is next to the king, has got a decree for our destruction. Pray, therefore, to the Lord, and plead w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 11. _INTO THE INNER COURT_] We have already seen that the Persian sovereigns affected the highest degree of _majesty_, even to the _assuming of Divine honours_. No man nor woman dared to appear _unveiled_ before them, without hazarding their lives; into the inner chamber of the _harem_ no per... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 4:13. _THINK NOT - THAT THOU SHALT ESCAPE_] This confirms the suspicion that Haman knew something of the relationship between Mordecai and Esther; and therefore he gives her to understand that, although in the _king's palace_, she should no more _escape_ _than the Jews_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 4:14. Then _SHALL THERE ENLARGEMENT AND DELIVERANCE ARISE_] He had a confidence that deliverance would come by some means; and he thought that _Esther_ would be the most likely; and that, if she did not use the influence which her providential station gave her, she would be highly culpa... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 4:16. _FAST YE FOR ME, AND NEITHER EAT NOR DRINK THREE DAYS_] What a strange thing, that still we hear nothing of _prayer_, nor of _God_! What is the ground on which we can account for this total silence? I know it not. She could not suppose there was any _charm_ in fasting, sackcloth g... [ Continue Reading ]