Esther 8:14

_UPON ONE DAY IN ALL THE PROVINCES OF KING AHASUERUS, NAMELY, UPON THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF THE TWELFTH MONTH, WHICH IS THE MONTH ADAR._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

3-14 It was time to be earnest, when the church of God was at stake. Esther, though safe herself, fell down and begged for the deliverance of her people. We read of no tears when she begged for her own life, but although she was sure of that, she wept for her people. Tears of pity and tenderness are the most Christ-like. According to the constitution of the Persian government, no law or decree could be repealed or recalled. This is so far from speaking to the wisdom and honour of the Medes and Persians, that it clearly shows their pride and folly. This savours of that old presumption which ruined all, We will be as gods! It is God's prerogative not to repent, or to say what can never be altered or unsaid. Yet a way was found, by another decree, to authorize the Jews to stand upon their defence. The decree was published in the languages of all the provinces. Shall all the subjects of an...

Verse Esther 8:14. _THE DECREE WAS GIVEN AT SHUSHAN_] The contrary effect which it was to produce considered, this decree was in every respect like the former. See Esther 3:8....

BEING HASTENED - Between Sivan, the third month (June), when the posts went out, and Adar, the twelfth month (March), when the struggle was to take place, the interval would be one of more than 8 months; but all haste was made, with the object of their being no misunderstanding....

EXPOSITION HAMAN'S HOUSE GIVEN TO ESTHER, AND THE KING'S SIGNET MADE OVER.TO MORDECAI (Esther 8:1, Esther 8:2). Two consequences followed immediately on Haman's execution. His property escheating to the crown, Ahasuerus made the whole of it over to Esther, either simply as a sign of favour, or in compensation of the alarm and suffering which Haman had caused her. Further, Haman's office being vacant, and Mordecai's close relationship to Esther having become known to the king, he transferred to Mordecai the confidence which he had been wont to repose in Haman, and gave him the custody of

SO THE POSTS THAT RODE UPON MULES AND CAMELS WENT OUT,.... Or on the mules, which in the Persian language were called "ahashteranim"; Esther 8:10, BEING HASTENED AND PRESSED ON BY THE KING'S COMMANDMENT; who gave them a special order to make what haste they could, that the Jews might have time to prepare for their defence, and their enemies be the more intimidated: AND THE DECREE WAS GIVEN AT SHUSHAN THE PALACE; the king's counsellors agreeing to it, and perhaps signing it, as they did the former; see Esther 3:15....

MORDECAI'S EXALTATION AND THE SECOND PROCLAMATION CHAPTER 8 _ 1. Mordecai's exaltation (Esther 8:1)_ 2. Esther's second petition (Esther 8:3) 3. The second proclamation (Esther 8:9) 4. The joy of the Jews (Esther 8:15) Esther 8:1. Esther the Queen receives from the king the possessions of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Then she revealed what Mordecai was to her, her uncle and foster-father. The king had taken the signet-ring of authority from the hand of Haman. The same ring Mordecai received. Esther honoured her uncle by plac

ESTHER 8. THE KING DECREES THAT THE JEWS MAY DEFEND THEMSELVES. We come now to one of the most important parts of the tale. Esther has seen Haman pass out to death not, be it noted, at her request. Now, what does she seek further? Many have accused her of cruelty, her and her race. Not so the reality. She implores that the bloody decree be annulled (Esther 8:5), and thus, had she been heard, no blood at all would have been shed. But the Gentile mind is not of this kindly sort. Oh no. The king likes to see blood: he is a sportsman. No, no, Esther, the king answers, blood must flow. Ye Jews, defend yourselves. Fight! So they are forced to take arms, directly against their own mind. LXX gives a supposed form of the new royal order, fanciful, perhaps, but based on fact. Away out the fast posts speed, to order this anti-massaore ...

HASTENED. Hebrew. _bahal._ See note on Esther 6:10. COMMANDMENT. word. Hebrew. _dabar._ See note on Esther 1:12. DECREE. See note on Esther 2:8....

_swift steeds that were used in the king's service_ See on Esther 8:10. _being hastened and pressed on_ The increased need for promptitude is indicated by the two synonymous participles, of which only the latter is used at the sending out of the first edict....