Est 4 | TSK | STEP | The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews. Esther, understanding it, sends to Mordecai, who shews the cause, and advises her to undertake the suit. She excusing herself, is threatened by Mordecai. She appointing a fast, undertakes the suit. all that. rent. with ashes. 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: [Airetai ethnos meden edikekos,] "A people is going to be destroyed who have done no evil."

‏ Esther 4

1 The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews.

4 Esther, understanding it, sends to Mordecai, who shews the cause, and advises her to undertake the suit.

10 She excusing herself, is threatened by Mordecai.

15 She appointing a fast, undertakes the suit.

all that.

3:8-13

rent.

2Sa 1:11; Job 1:20; Jon 3:4-9; Ac 14:14

with ashes.

3; Jos 7:6; 2Sa 13:19; Job 2:8; 42:6; Isa 58:5; Eze 27:30; Da 9:3

Jon 3:6; Mt 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: [Airetai ethnos meden edikekos,] "A people is going to be destroyed who have done no evil."

Ge 27:34; Isa 15:4; 22:4; Eze 21:6; 27:31; Mic 1:8; Zep 1:14

Re 18:17-19

in every province.

1:1; 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.

1Sa 4:13,14; 11:4; Isa 22:4,12; 37:1-3

weeping.

Mt 13:42; 22:13; 25:30

many lay in sackcloth and ashes. Heb. sackcloth and asheswere laid under many.

Isa 58:5; Da 9:3

chamberlains. Heb. eunuchs.

1:12; 1Sa 8:15; *marg:

2Ki 9:32; Isa 56:3; Ac 8:27

but he received it not.

Ge 37:35; Ps 77:2; Jer 31:15

appointed to attend upon her. Heb. set before her.

1:10,12

to know.

Ro 12:15; 1Co 12:26; Php 2:4; Heb 4:15

the king said.

3; 7:2; 9:12

all that had.

3:2-15

the copy.

3:14,15

to charge.

2:20; 1Ti 6:13,17

to make supplication.

Job 9:15; Pr 16:14,15; Ec 10:4; Ac 12:20

request.

7:3,4; 8:6; Ne 2:3-5; Pr 21:1

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.

5:1

one law.

Da 2:9

the king shall.

5:2; 8:4

the golden sceptre.That the kings of Persia carried a golden sceptre, we have the following proof in Xenophon: [Hoti ou tode to chrysoun skeptron to men basileian diasozon estin, all hoi pistoi philoi skeptron basileusin alethestaton kai asphalestaton.] "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.

1:19; 2:14; 1Pe 3:7

Think not.

Pr 24:10-12; Mt 16:24,25; Joh 12:25; Php 2:30; Heb 12:3

then shall.

Ge 22:14; Nu 23:22-24; De 32:26,27,36; 1Sa 12:22; Isa 54:17

Jer 30:11; 33:24-26; 46:28; Am 9:8,9; Mt 16:18; 24:22

enlargement. Heb. respiration.

Ezr 9:9; Job 9:18

but thou.

2:7,15; Jud 14:15-18; 15:6

whether.

Ge 45:4-8; Isa 45:1-5; 49:23; Ac 7:20-25

for such a time.

1Sa 17:29; 2Ki 19:3; Ne 6:11The 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.

present. Heb. found. fast.

2Ch 20:3; Isa 22:12; Joe 1:14,15; 2:12-17; Jon 3:4-9

eat nor drink.

5:1; Mt 12:40; Ac 9:9; 27:33

I also.

Ge 18:19; Jos 24:15; Ac 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.

Ge 43:14; 1Sa 19:5; 2Sa 10:12; Lu 9:24; Ac 20:24; 21:13; Ro 16:4

Php 2:30

went. Heb. passed.