10 matching verse commentaries
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
The Feast of Ahasuerus. (b. c. 519.) 1 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) 2 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, 3 In the third year of his reign, he...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
Two things are recorded in this chapter, which were working towards the deliverance of the Jews from Haman's conspiracy:—I. The advancement of Esther to be queen instead of Vashti. Many others were candidates for the honour (ver. 1-4); but Esther, an orphan, a captive-Jewess (ver. 5-7), recommended herself to the king's chamberlain first (ver....
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
A very black and mournful scene here opens, and which threatens the ruin of all the people of God. Were there not some such dark nights, the light of the morning would not be so welcome. I. Haman is made the king's favourite, ver. 1. II. Mordecai refuses to give him the honour he demands, ver. 2-4. III. Haman, for his sake, vows to be revenged...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
We left God's Isaac bound upon the altar and ready to be sacrificed, and the enemies triumphing in the prospect of it; but things here begin to work towards a deliverance, and they begin at the right end. I. The Jews' friends lay to heart the danger and lament it, ver. 1-4. II. Matters are concerted between Mordecai and Esther for the preventing...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
The last news we had of Haman left him in his cups, ch. iii. 15. Our last news of queen Esther left her in tears, fasting and praying. Now this chapter brings in, I. Esther in her joys, smiled upon by the king and honoured with his company at her banquet of wine, ver. 1-8. II. Haman upon the fret, because he had not Mordecai's cap and knee, and...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
It is a very surprising scene that opens in this chapter. Haman, when he hoped to be Mordecai's judge, was made his page, to his great confusion and mortification; and thus way was made for the defeat of Haman's plot and the deliverance of the Jews. I. The providence of God recommends Mordecai in the night to the king's favour, ver. 1-3. II....
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
We are now to attend the second banquet to which the king and Haman were invited: and there, I. Esther presents her petition to the king for her life and the life of her people, ver. 1-4. II. She plainly tells the king that Haman is the man who designed her ruin and the ruin of all her friends, ver. 5, 6. III. The king thereupon gave orders for...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
We left the plotter hanging, and are now to see what becomes of his plot. I. His plot was to raise an estate for himself; and all his estate, being confiscated for treason, is given to Esther and Mordecai, ver. 1, 2. II. His plot was to ruin the Jews; and as to that, 1. Esther earnestly intercedes for the reversing of the edict against them, ver....
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
We left two royal edicts in force, both given at the court of Shushan, one bearing date the thirteenth day of the first month, appointing that on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month then next ensuing all the Jews should be killed; another bearing date the twenty-third day of the third month, empowering the Jews, on the day appointed for their...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
This is but a part of a chapter; the rest of it, beginning at v. 4, with six chapters more, being found only in the Greek, is rejected as apocryphal. In these three verses we have only some short hints, I. Concerning Ahasuerus in the throne, what a mighty prince he was, ver. 1, 2. II. Concerning Mordecai his favourite, what a distinguished...