Bible Commentaries
Esther 6

Introduction

Overview

Esther 6:1, Ahasuerus, reading in the chronicles of the good service done by Mordecai, takes care for his reward; Esther 6:4, Haman, coming to sue that Mordecai might be hanged, gives counsel that he might do him honour; Esther 6:12, Complaining of this, his friends tell him of his final destiny.

Verse 1

that night: Esther 5:8, Genesis 22:14, 1 Samuel 23:26, 1 Samuel 23:27, Isaiah 41:17, Romans 11:33

could not the king sleep: Heb. the king's sleep fled away, Daniel 2:1, Daniel 6:18

the book of records: As chronicles were composed among the Persians, a more instructive and interesting work could not be brought before the king; because they were all written in verse, and were generally the work of the most eminent poets of the empire. Esther 2:23, Malachi 3:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 40:1 - it came Genesis 40:5 - General Genesis 41:1 - that Pharaoh Ruth 2:3 - hap was 1 Samuel 26:12 - a deep sleep 1 Kings 14:19 - book Esther 2:22 - and Esther certified Esther 10:2 - in the book Psalms 77:4 - holdest Ecclesiastes 2:23 - his heart

Verse 2

Bigthana: Esther 2:21, Bigthan

door: Heb. threshold

Reciprocal: Ruth 2:3 - hap was Esther 2:22 - and Esther certified Esther 2:23 - the book Esther 7:9 - who had spoken Ecclesiastes 9:15 - yet

Verse 3

What honour: Judges 1:12, Judges 1:13, 1 Samuel 17:25, 1 Samuel 17:26, 1 Chronicles 11:6, Daniel 5:7, Daniel 5:16, Daniel 5:29, Acts 28:8-10

There is nothing: Genesis 40:23, Psalms 118:8, Psalms 118:9, Ecclesiastes 9:15

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 19:2 - I will show

Verse 4

Who is in the court: Proverbs 3:27, Proverbs 3:28, Ecclesiastes 9:10

the outward: Esther 4:11, Esther 5:1

to speak: Esther 3:8-11, Esther 5:14, Esther 7:9, Job 5:13, Psalms 2:4, Psalms 33:19

Reciprocal: Psalms 36:4 - deviseth

Verse 6

whom the king: etc. Heb. in whose honour the king delighteth, Psalms 35:27, Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 62:4, Isaiah 62:5, Jeremiah 32:41, Matthew 3:17, John 5:23

To whom: Esther 3:2, Esther 3:3, Esther 5:11, Proverbs 1:32, Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 18:12, Proverbs 30:13, Obadiah 1:3

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 1:33 - to ride Esther 1:15 - What shall we do Psalms 94:3 - the wicked Luke 14:9 - and thou Luke 16:3 - said

Verse 7

whom the king: etc. Heb. in whose honour the king delighteth, Esther 6:9, Esther 6:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:42 - his ring

Verse 8

Let the royal: etc. Heb. Let them bring the royal apparel, wherewith the king clotheth himself. 1 Samuel 18:4, Luke 15:22

the horse: Herodotus relates, that the kings of Persia had horses peculiar to themselves, which were brought from Armenia, and were remarkable for their beauty; and if the same law prevailed in Persia as in Judea, no man, under the penalty of death, might ride on the king's horse, any more than sit on his throne, wear his crown, or hold his sceptre. 1 Kings 1:33

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:43 - and they 1 Kings 22:10 - having put 2 Kings 11:12 - put the crown Esther 8:15 - royal apparel

Verse 9

bring him: Heb. cause him to ride

proclaim: Genesis 41:43, 1 Kings 1:33, 1 Kings 1:34, Zechariah 9:9

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 18:4 - stripped himself 1 Kings 22:10 - having put Esther 6:7 - whom the king Jeremiah 43:12 - array

Verse 10

Make haste: Daniel 4:37, Luke 14:11, Revelation 18:7

let nothing fail: Heb. suffer not a whit to fall, 2 Kings 10:10

Verse 11

took Haman: Ezra 6:13, Isaiah 60:14, Luke 1:52, Revelation 3:9

and arrayed: Esther 8:15, Esther 9:3

the street: Pitts gives a similar account of the mode of honouring a person who turns a Mohammedan, at Algiers: "The apostate is to get on a stately steed, with a rich saddle and fine trappings: he is also richly habited, and has a turban on his head, but nothing of this is to be called his own; only there are given him about two or three yards of broad cloth, which is laid before him on the saddle. The horse, with him on his back, is led all round the city, which he is several hours in doing. The apostate is attended with drums and other music, and twenty or thirty serjeants. They march in order on each side of the horse, with naked swords in their hands. The crier goes before, with a loud voice giving thanks to God for the proselyte that is made.

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:5 - the woman Esther 6:7 - whom the king Psalms 112:10 - wicked

Verse 12

came again: Esther 2:19, 1 Samuel 3:15, Psalms 131:1, Psalms 131:2

hasted to his house: 2 Samuel 17:23, 1 Kings 20:43, 1 Kings 21:4, 2 Chronicles 26:20, Job 20:5

having: Esther 7:8, 2 Samuel 15:30, Job 9:24, Jeremiah 14:3, Jeremiah 14:4

Reciprocal: Leviticus 21:10 - uncover 1 Kings 21:6 - Because 2 Kings 8:5 - the woman Psalms 112:10 - wicked Acts 12:19 - he went

Verse 13

Zeresh: Esther 5:10-14

said his wise: Genesis 41:8, Daniel 2:12

If Mordecai: Genesis 40:19, 1 Samuel 28:19, 1 Samuel 28:20, Job 15:24, Daniel 5:26-28, Zechariah 12:2, Zechariah 12:3

but shalt surely: Job 16:2, Proverbs 28:18, Hosea 14:9

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 3:1 - David waxed 2 Samuel 13:3 - a friend 1 Kings 13:21 - Thus saith 1 Kings 20:43 - went Job 18:8 - he is cast Psalms 129:5 - be confounded

Verse 14

hasted to bring: Esther 5:8, Esther 5:14, Deuteronomy 32:35, Deuteronomy 32:36

Reciprocal: Esther 2:2 - king's servants Esther 5:5 - Cause Haman Esther 7:9 - one of the chamberlains