Bible Commentaries
Esther 5

Verse 1

the third day. The beginning of a new life for Israel. See App-10 .

inner court. All houses had courts; a palace had several.

over against = right opposite.

upon his royal throne. To transact business.

gate = porch, or entrance. Hebrew. pethah.

Verse 2

obtained = won. Compare Esther 4:11 .

Verse 3

kingdom. Put by Figure of speech Metonomy (of Adjunct), for a year's revenue. Compare Mark 6:23 .

Verse 4

LET THE KING AND HAMAN COME THIS DAY. This is the second of the five Acrostics ( App-6 ) of the Divine name ( App-4 .) in this book. See App-60 . The second pivot on which the history turns.

Verse 6

What is thy petition? He must have seen that there was something behind the mere banquet.

Petition = question.

request = wish.

Verse 8

do to morrow. She still keeps back her petition, showing the king that he had rightly divined that there was something important behind it.

Verse 9

stood not up. Notwithstanding the crisis reached; and well knowing the cause of it.

moved = stirred. Only here, and Ecclesiastes 12:3 .

Zeresh his wife. By Gematria = 507 (13- x 3). See note on Esther 9:10 , also App-10 .

Verse 11

told = recounted.

children = sons. He had ten sons. See Esther 9:10 .

Verse 13

THIS AVAILETH ME NOTHING. This is the third of the five Acrostics of this book, exhibiting the Divine names ( App-4 .) to the eye. See App-60 .

Mordecai. The enmity was not merely personal, but religious; which is the worst form enmity can take.

Verse 14

gallows = tree: i.e. a stake to which a criminal was fastened till he died. The same word for cross. Compare Esther 2:23 ; Esther 7:9 ; and see Acts 5:30 ; Acts 10:39 ; Acts 13:29 . 1 Peter 2:24 .

to morrow. There was no delay; but, quick as the action was, it was none too soon for its real usefulness.