Bible Commentaries
Esther 4

Introduction

Overview

Esther 4:1, The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews; Esther 4:4, Esther, understanding it, sends to Mordecai, who shews the cause, and advises her to undertake the suit; Esther 4:10, She excusing herself, is threatened by Mordecai; Esther 4:15, She appointing a fast, undertakes the suit.

Verse 1

all that: Esther 3:8-13

rent: 2 Samuel 1:11, Job 1:20, Jonah 3:4-9, Acts 14:14

with ashes: Esther 4:3, Joshua 7:6, 2 Samuel 13:19, Job 2:8, Job 42:6, Isaiah 58:5, Ezekiel 27:30, Daniel 9:3, Jonah 3:6, Matthew 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: יסופבי וטםןע לחהום חהיךחךןע, "A people is going to be destroyed who have done no evil." Genesis 27:34, Isaiah 15:4, Isaiah 22:4, Ezekiel 21:6, Ezekiel 27:31, Micah 1:8, Zephaniah 1:14, Revelation 18:17-19

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:34 - General Genesis 41:14 - he shaved Exodus 33:4 - and no 1 Kings 20:31 - put sackcloth 2 Kings 19:1 - covered Esther 8:16 - Jews Job 2:12 - their voice Psalms 77:2 - my soul Isaiah 61:3 - beauty Revelation 11:3 - clothed

Verse 2

Reciprocal: Genesis 50:4 - Joseph Luke 7:25 - are in Revelation 11:3 - clothed

Verse 3

in every province: Esther 1:1, Esther 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. 1 Samuel 4:13, 1 Samuel 4:14, 1 Samuel 11:4, Isaiah 22:4, Isaiah 22:12, Isaiah 37:1-3

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

many lay in sackcloth and ashes: Heb. sackcloth and ashes were laid under many, Isaiah 58:5, Daniel 9:3

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 9:1 - children Esther 4:1 - with ashes Esther 4:6 - the king's Esther 9:31 - the fastings

Verse 4

chamberlains: Heb. eunuchs, Esther 1:12, 1 Samuel 8:15, *marg. 2 Kings 9:32, Isaiah 56:3, Acts 8:27

but he received it not: Genesis 37:35, Psalms 77:2, Jeremiah 31:15

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 25:29 - changed Proverbs 31:26 - openeth

Verse 5

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

to know: Romans 12:15, 1 Corinthians 12:26, Philippians 2:4, Hebrews 4:15

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 21:5 - Why is thy spirit Malachi 3:16 - spake

Verse 6

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

Reciprocal: Proverbs 26:1 - so

Verse 7

all that had: Esther 3:2-15

Reciprocal: Esther 7:4 - we are sold Proverbs 12:6 - the mouth

Verse 8

the copy: Esther 3:14, Esther 3:15

to charge: Esther 2:20, 1 Timothy 6:13, 1 Timothy 6:17

to make supplication: Job 9:15, Proverbs 16:14, Proverbs 16:15, Ecclesiastes 10:4, Acts 12:20

request: Esther 7:3, Esther 7:4, Esther 8:6, Nehemiah 2:3-5, Proverbs 21:1

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 38:26 - General Ephesians 6:18 - supplication

Verse 9

Reciprocal: Proverbs 26:1 - so

Verse 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: Esther 5:1

one law: Daniel 2:9

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

the golden sceptre: That the kings of Persia carried a golden sceptre, we have the following proof in Xenophon: פי ןץ פןהו פן קסץףןץם ףךחנפסןם פן לחם גבףיכויבם היבףשזןם וףפים, בככ ןי ניףפןי ציכןי ףךחנפסןם גבףיכוץףים בכחטוףפבפןם ךבי בףצבכוףפבפןם. "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: Esther 1:19, Esther 2:14, 1 Peter 3:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:30 - General 1 Chronicles 21:13 - I am in Nehemiah 2:20 - memorial Esther 6:4 - the outward Job 31:34 - that I Mark 8:35 - will save

Verse 13

Think not: Proverbs 24:10-12, Matthew 16:24, Matthew 16:25, John 12:25, Philippians 2:30, Hebrews 12:3

Reciprocal: Esther 2:10 - had not showed Proverbs 31:8 - Open Ecclesiastes 3:7 - and a time to speak

Verse 14

then shall: Genesis 22:14, Numbers 23:22-24, Deuteronomy 32:26, Deuteronomy 32:27, Deuteronomy 32:36, 1 Samuel 12:22, Isaiah 54:17, Jeremiah 30:11, Jeremiah 33:24-26, Jeremiah 46:28, Amos 9:8, Amos 9:9, Matthew 16:18, Matthew 24:22

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

but thou: Esther 2:7, Esther 2:15, Judges 14:15-18, Judges 15:6

whether: Genesis 45:4-8, Isaiah 45:1-5, Isaiah 49:23, Acts 7:20-25

for such a time: 1 Samuel 17:29, 2 Kings 19:3, Nehemiah 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.

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 5:12 - his people 1 Chronicles 14:2 - because Esther 2:10 - had not showed Esther 2:17 - so that he set Job 31:34 - that I Proverbs 17:17 - General Ecclesiastes 3:7 - and a time to speak Isaiah 22:23 - a glorious Jeremiah 26:16 - General Habakkuk 1:13 - holdest Matthew 16:25 - General Romans 9:17 - I raised

Verse 15

Reciprocal: Daniel 2:18 - they would

Verse 16

present: Heb. found

fast: 2 Chronicles 20:3, Isaiah 22:12, Joel 1:14, Joel 1:15, Joel 2:12-17, Jonah 3:4-9

eat nor drink: Esther 5:1, Matthew 12:40, Acts 9:9, Acts 27:33

I also: Genesis 18:19, Joshua 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. Genesis 43:14, 1 Samuel 19:5, 2 Samuel 10:12, Luke 9:24, Acts 20:24, Acts 21:13, Romans 16:4, Philippians 2:30

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:11 - If it must be Judges 5:18 - their lives Judges 9:17 - adventured his life 1 Samuel 30:12 - three days 2 Samuel 1:2 - the third 2 Samuel 12:16 - fasted 1 Kings 20:31 - peradventure 2 Kings 7:4 - if they save us 1 Chronicles 21:13 - I am in 2 Chronicles 31:1 - present Ezra 8:23 - we fasted Nehemiah 9:1 - children Esther 1:2 - Shushan Esther 3:15 - the city Esther 8:16 - Jews Esther 9:31 - the fastings Proverbs 29:26 - ruler's favour Isaiah 58:5 - it such Jeremiah 36:9 - they Daniel 9:3 - with Jonah 1:6 - if Zephaniah 2:1 - gather together Matthew 6:16 - when Matthew 16:25 - General Luke 4:2 - he did 1 Peter 4:19 - in

Verse 17

went: Heb. passed, Esther 4:17