CHAPTER V _Esther presents herself before the king, and finds favour in his_ _sight_, 1, 2. _He asks what her request is, and promises to grant it_, 3. _She invites him and Haman to a banquet, which they accept_, 4, 5. _He then desires to know her request; and she promises to make_ _it known o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 5:2. _SHE OBTAINED FAVOUR IN HIS SIGHT_] The _Septuagint_ represents "the king as being at first greatly enraged when he saw Esther, because she had dared to appear before him unveiled, and she, perceiving this, was so terrified that she fainted away; on which the king, touched with ten... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 5:4. _LET THE KING AND HAMAN COME THIS DAY UNTO THE BANQUET_] It was necessary to invite Haman to prevent his suspicion, and that he might not take any hasty step which might have prevented the execution of the great design.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 5:6. _THE BANQUET OF WINE_] At that part of the banquet when the _wine_ was introduced.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 5:8. _I WILL DO TO-MORROW_] She saw she was gaining on the king's affections; but she was not yet sufficiently confident; and therefore wished another interview, that she might ingratiate herself more fully in the king's favour, and thus secure the success of her design. But Providence... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 5:9. _THAT HE STOOD NOT UP, NOR MOVED FOR HIM_] This was certainly carrying his integrity or inflexibility to the highest pitch. But still we are left to conjecture that some reverence was required, which Mordecai could not conscientiously pay.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 5:11. _THE MULTITUDE OF HIS CHILDREN_] The Asiatic sovereigns delight in the number of their children; and this is one cause why they take so many wives and concubines.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 5:13. _YET ALL THIS AVAILETH ME NOTHING_] _Pride_ will ever render its possessor unhappy. He has such a high opinion of his own worth, that he conceives himself defrauded by every one who does not pay him all the respect and homage which he conceives to be his due. The soul was made f... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Esther 5:14. _LET A GALLOWS BE MADE OF FIFTY CUBITS HIGH_] The word עץ _ets_, which we translate _gallows_, signifies simply _wood_, a _tree_, or _pole_; and this was to be _seventy-five_ feet high, that he might suffer the greater ignominy, and be a more public spectacle. I believe _impaling_... [ Continue Reading ]