The Book of Esther
Esther 4
Chapter IV · Vol. II, pp. 930–931
1 The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews. 4 Esther, understanding it, sendeth to Mordecai, who showeth the cause, and adviseth her to intercede with the king for the nation. 10 She excusing herself, is threatened by Mordecai. 15 She appointing a fast, undertaketh the suit.
1 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;1
1 Different countries have different modes of expressing the same thing, or attempting the same object. Any obnoxious proclamation in a free country would instantly be met by public assemblies and petitions, but under an eastern despotism the effort must be personal. Loud cries are so common in the streets of Asiatic towns that the efforts of Mordecai would not be considered more than the ordinary mode of attracting public attention.—C.
2 And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.
3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
4 So Esther's maids and her 2chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved;3 and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but ahe received it not.
5 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her,4 and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, bto know what it was, and why it was.
7 And Mordecai told him dof all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews,5 to destroy them.
A.M. 3495 B.C. 509
d ch.3.2-13.
5 Though ch. 3. 11 gives Haman the silver as well as the people, it seems probable from this statement that some return to the royal treasury was expected from the plunder and confiscation of an industrious and mercantile people.—C.
8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing6 of the decree that was given at eShushan to destroy them, to show it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to fcharge her that she should go in unto the king, to make gsupplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.
10 Againi Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;
i He.12.3. Pr.24.10. Is.40.29-31.
11 All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into kthe inner court, who is not called, there is lone law of his to put him to death,7 except such to mwhom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre,8 that he may live: but I have nnot been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
k ch.5.1.
7 Such laws still exist in several eastern courts. They originated, no doubt, in the necessity of preventing unreasonable intrusions upon domestic privacy; they were advocated by courtiers on the plea of protecting the royal dignity; but they were enforced for the real purpose of transferring from indolent and luxurious monarchs the whole administration into the hands of their attendants.—C.
m ch.5.2; 8.4.
8 That such a golden sceptre was used by the Persian kings is stated in Xenophon (Cyropæd. l. 8); but while such authorities are introduced, it is not for establishing the Scripture truth, which is totally independent of such aid, but for illustration of the homage that faithful history pays to divine revelation.—C.
n 1 Co.7.4,5. 1 Pe.3.7.
12 And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.
13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think onot with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.
o Phi.2.4. Mat.16.24,25. Pr.29.25; 24.10-12.
14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then pshall there enlargement9 and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether qthou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?1
p Ge.22.14. Le.26.42. De.32.36. Je.4.27; 30.11; 46.28.
9 Heb. respiration.
q Is.49.23. Ob.21. 2 Ki.13.5; 24.27.
1 Agents and occasions are alike in the hand of God. Poor short-sighted humanity can absolutely judge of neither; but when agents and occasions seem suited for each other, it becomes us carefully to watch the leadings of Providence, convinced that God will order all things well.—C.
15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present2 in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens3 will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.4
2 Heb. found.
3 Who, no doubt, were Jewesses, chosen at her request, and as deeply interested as herself in the decision.—C.
4 Noble-minded woman! devoted to thy God in fasting, and prayer its inseparable companion, and ready to die for thy religion and thy kindred, and asking no epitaph beyond the record of perishing in so glorious a cause!—Note, One only has surpassed this self-devotedness. Esther could have died for her friends! But oh! who died for his enemies? Ro.5.10.—C.
Notes
Reflections.—A good man severely feels and laments the heavy strokes of Providence, whilst with humble resignation he submits to the rod: and it is peculiarly grievous to him that others should suffer for his sake. How brave is it to espouse the cause of God when it seems desperate and sinking! But unhappy are those courts where all are so abandoned to gaiety, pleasure and mirth, that nothing serious or mournful dare enter. Yea, the pride or base fear of princes has introduced the most unaccountable laws, hurtful to themselves, families, and subjects. But how friendly is it when all the members of Christ, however great, sympathize with one another in their distress! God sometimes permits the most discouraging circumstance to exercise the faith and brighten the crown of the redeemed. And it is necessary to consider well the ends of Providence in putting us into our stations, and to labour to let slip no opportunity of answering them. If we have faith to trust in God he will never fail us. But if through unbelief we decline the path of duty, we may expect the danger which we sinfully decline. In times of great distress, solemn fasting and supplication to God are leading means of deliverance. And such as are confined ought to join in the work as well as the attenders in public. In all our distresses there is a throne of grace open and a God who heareth prayer. When we are truly humbled under our sins, we may hope that God will deliver us from our afflictions. And while we desire the prayers of others, let us never forget to be importunate for ourselves. And having by the prayers of faith committed our way to the Lord, we may, with the greatest courage and resolution, venture on the most dangerous work to which in providence we have a call.