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.
done <06213> [all that.]
tore <07167> [rent.]
ashes <0665> [with ashes.]
crying out <02199> [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."
each .... province <04082> [in every province.]
considerable mourning <060 01419> [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.
weeping <01065> [weeping.]
Sackcloth ... ashes ... characteristic ... many <03331 08242 0665 07227> [many lay in sackcloth and ashes. Heb. sackcloth and ashes were laid under many.]
eunuchs <05631> [chamberlains. Heb. eunuchs.]
accept <06901> [but he received it not.]
at ... service <06440 05975> [appointed to attend upon her. Heb. set before her.]
<03045> [to know.]
[the king said.]
happened <07136> [all that had.]
copy <06572> [the copy.]
instructions <06680> [to charge.]
<02603> [to make supplication.]
implore <01245> [request.]
comes ...................................... come <0935> [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.
inner court <02691 06442> [the inner court.]
one law <01881 0259> [one law.]
king ....... king's ..................... king ............... king extends ...................... king <04428 03447> [the king shall.]
gold scepter <02091 08275> [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."
uninvited ................................... invited <07121> [but I.]
liberation <07305> [then shall.]
liberation <07305> [enlargement. Heb. respiration.]
father's <01> [but thou.]
achieved <05060> [whether.]
time .................................. time <06256> [for such a time.]
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.
found <04672> [present. Heb. found. fast.]
eat .... drink <08354 0398> [eat nor drink.]
female attendants <05291> [I also.]
perish ... perish <06> [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.
<05674> [went. Heb. passed.]
