Chapter 4

1
all that Esth 3:8-13

rent 2Sam 1:11; Job 1:20; Jonah 3:4-9; Acts 14:14

with ashes Esth 4:3; Josh 7:6; 2Sam 13:19; Job 2:8, Job 42:6; Isa 58:5; Ezek 27:30; Dan 9:3; Jonah 3:6; Matt 11:21

and cried Mordecai gave every demonstration of the most poignant grief. Nor did he hide this from the city; and the Greek says that he uttered these words aloud: Αιρεται εθνος μηδεν ηδικηκος, "A people is going to be destroyed who have done no evil." Gen 27:34; Isa 15:4, Isa 22:4; Ezek 21:6, Ezek 27:31; Mic 1:8; Zeph 1:14; Rev 18:17-19


3
in every province Esth 1:1, Esth 3:12

great mourning It cannot reasonably be doubted, that the mournings, fastings, and weepings of the Jews were attended by constant prayers and supplications; though all mention of them, and of the glorious God whom they worshipped, seems to have been studiously avoided. 1Sam 4:13-14, 1Sam 11:4; Isa 22:4, Isa 22:12, Isa 37:1-3

weeping Matt 13:42, Matt 22:13, Matt 25:30

many lay in sackcloth and ashes Heb. sackcloth and ashes were laid under many, Isa 58:5; Dan 9:3


4
chamberlains Heb. eunuchs, Esth 1:12; 1Sam 8:15 *marg. 2Kgs 9:32; Isa 56:3; Acts 8:27

but he received it not Gen 37:35; Ps 77:2; Jer 31:15


5
appointed to attend upon her Heb. set before her, Esth 1:10, Esth 1:12

to know Rom 12:15; 1Cor 12:26; Phil 2:4; Heb 4:15


6
the king's Esth 4:3, Esth 7:2, Esth 9:12


7
all that had Esth 3:2-15


8
the copy Esth 3:14-15

to charge Esth 2:20; 1Tim 6:13, 1Tim 6:17

to make supplication Job 9:15; Prov 16:14-15; Eccl 10:4; Acts 12:20

request Esth 7:3-4, Esth 8:6; Neh 2:3-5; Prov 21:1


11
shall come Herodotus informs us, that ever since the reign of Deioces, king of Media, for the security of the king's person, it was enacted that no one should be admitted into his presence; but that if any one had business with him, he should transact it through the medium of his ministers.

the inner court Esth 5:1

one law Dan 2:9

the king shall Esth 5:2, Esth 8:4

the golden sceptre That the kings of Persia carried a golden sceptre, we have the following proof in Xenophon: Οτι ου τοδε το χρυσουν σκηπτρον το μην βασιλειαν διασωζον εστιν, αλλ οι πιστοι φιλοι σκηπτρον βασιλευσιν αληθεστατον και ασφαλεστατον. "It is not (said Cyrus to his son Cambyses) the golden sceptre that saves the kingdom; but faithful friends are the truest and best sceptre of the kingdom."

but I Esth 1:19, Esth 2:14; 1Pet 3:7


13
Think not Prov 24:10-12; Matt 16:24-25; John 12:25; Phil 2:30; Heb 12:3


14
then shall Gen 22:14; Num 23:22-24; Deut 32:26-27, Deut 32:36; 1Sam 12:22; Isa 54:17; Jer 30:11, Jer 33:24-26, Jer 46:28; Amos 9:8-9; Matt 16:18, Matt 24:22

enlargement Heb. respiration, Ezra 9:9; Job 9:18

but thou Esth 2:7, Esth 2:15; Judg 14:15-18, Judg 15:6

whether Gen 45:4-8; Isa 45:1-5, Isa 49:23; Acts 7:20-25

for such a time 1Sam 17:29; 2Kgs 19:3; Neh 6:11; The fact related in this verse was unquestionably the reason why Esther was raised to regal honours, by the overruling providence of God. She was therefore bound in gratitude to do this service for God, else she would not have answered the end of her elevation, and she need not fear the miscarriage of the enterprise, for if God designed her for it, he would surely bear her through and give success. It appeared by the event that Mordecai spoke prophetically, when he modestly conjectured that Esther came to the kingdom that she might be the instrument of the Jews' deliverance. Mordecai thoroughly believed that it was a cause which one way or other would certainly be carried, and which, therefore, she might safely venture upon. Instruments might fail, but God's covenant cannot. There is a wise design in all the providences of God, which is unknown to us till it is accomplished; but it will prove in the issue that all is intended for and centre in the good of those who trust in Him.


16
present Heb. found

fast 2Chr 20:3; Isa 22:12; Joel 1:14-15, Joel 2:12-17; Jonah 3:4-9

eat nor drink Esth 5:1; Matt 12:40; Acts 9:9, Acts 27:33

I also Gen 18:19; Josh 24:15; Acts 10:7

if I perish If I lose my life in the attempt to save my people, I shall lose it cheerfully. I see it is my duty to make the attempt; and, come what will, I am resolved to do it. Gen 43:14; 1Sam 19:5; 2Sam 10:12; Luke 9:24; Acts 20:24, Acts 21:13; Rom 16:4; Phil 2:30


17
went Heb. passed, Esth 4:17


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