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Texts -- Esther 4:1-12 (NET)

Context
Esther Decides to Risk Everything in order to Help Her People
4:1 Now when Mordecai became aware of all that had been done , he tore his garments and put on sackcloth and ashes . He went out into the city , crying out in a loud and bitter voice . 4:2 But he went no further than the king’s gate , for no one was permitted to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth . 4:3 Throughout each and every province where the king’s edict and law were announced there was considerable mourning among the Jews , along with fasting , weeping , and sorrow . Sackcloth and ashes were characteristic of many . 4:4 When Esther’s female attendants and her eunuchs came and informed her about Mordecai’s behavior, the queen was overcome with anguish . Although she sent garments for Mordecai to put on so that he could remove his sackcloth , he would not accept them. 4:5 So Esther called for Hathach , one of the king’s eunuchs who had been placed at her service , and instructed him to find out the cause and reason for Mordecai’s behavior. 4:6 So Hathach went to Mordecai at the plaza of the city in front of the king’s gate . 4:7 Then Mordecai related to him everything that had happened to him, even the specific amount of money that Haman had offered to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews to be destroyed . 4:8 He also gave him a written copy of the law that had been disseminated in Susa for their destruction so that he could show it to Esther and talk to her about it. He also gave instructions that she should go to the king to implore him and petition him on behalf of her people . 4:9 So Hathach returned and related Mordecai’s instructions to Esther . 4:10 Then Esther replied to Hathach with instructions for Mordecai : 4:11 “All the servants of the king and the people of the king’s provinces know that there is only one law applicable to any man or woman who comes uninvited to the king in the inner court – that person will be put to death , unless the king extends to him the gold scepter , permitting him to be spared . Now I have not been invited to come to the king for some thirty days !” 4:12 When Esther’s reply was conveyed to Mordecai ,

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  • Est 4:1-17 -- Esther Decides to Risk Everything in order to Help Her People

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Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • I. God's preparations 1:1-2:20A. Vashti deposed ch. 11. The king's feast 1:1-92. The queen's dismissal 1:10-22B. Esther elevated 2:1-201. The plan to replace Vashti 2:1-42. Esther's selection 2:5-113. The choice of Esther as ...
  • This chapter records the providential circumstances whereby Esther was able to rise to her influential position with the Persian king."Though no mention is made of God's providence, it nevertheless plays a prominent part, and...
  • We can understand why Mordecai reacted to Haman's decree so strongly (v. 1). Undoubtedly he felt personally responsible for this decree (cf. 3:2-5). However we should not interpret Mordecai's actions in verse 1 as a sign of g...
  • Mordecai's mourning may have been the only thing that disturbed Esther. She may have known nothing about the decree. On the other hand she may have known of both and concluded that since the king did not know that she was a J...
  • The theme of discipleship training continues in this section of verses. The 70 disciples that Jesus sent out contrast with the three men Luke just finished presenting (9:57-62). This was a second mission on which Jesus sent a...

Expositions Of Holy Scripture (Maclaren)

  • Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai: 11. All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inn...
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