Haman is hanged on the A. M. 3494. 7 B. C. 510. 9 And Harbonah, one of the cham- || man. Then the king said, Hang him A. M. 3494. berlains, said before the king, Behold thereon. also the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Ha when they ate or drank. And Haman, it seems, fell down as a supplicant at the feet of Esther, laying his hands upon her knees, and beseeching her to take pity upon him: for it is not improbable that it was the custom among the Persians, as it was among the Greeks and Romans, to embrace the knees of those whom they petitioned to be favourable to them. Then said the king-Finding him in this posture; Will he force the queen also before me in the house? -Will he attempt my queen's chastity, as he hath already attempted her life, and that in my own presence and palace? His presumption and impudence,|| I see, will stick at nothing. He speaks not this out of real jealousy, for which there was no cause in those circumstances; but from an exasperated mind,|| which takes all occasions to vent itself against the person who gave the provocation, and puts the worst construction on all his words and actions. They covered Haman's face-That the king might not be offended or grieved at the sight of a person whom he now detested; and because they looked upon him as a condemned person, for the faces of such used to be covered. 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified. Heb. tree. Dan. vi. 24; Psa. xxxvii. 35. expected every one to do him reverence is now made an ignominious spectacle to the world on a gallows fifty cubits high: and himself is sacrificed to justice, who disdained that less than a whole nation should be sacrificed to his revenge. Thus does God resist the proud, and those whom he resists will find him irresistible! Thus did mischief return on the person that contrived it, and the wicked was snared in the work of his own hands. If he had not set up that gallows, the king probably would not have thought of ordering him to be hanged; but as he had unjustly prepared it for a good man, he was justly condemned to suffer on it himself. The enemies of God's church have often been thus taken in their own craftiness. In the morning, Haman designed himself for the robes, and Mordecai for the gallows: but the tables are now turned, and Mordecai has the crown and Haman the cross. The Lord is known by the judgments which he executeth. "I cannot pass over this wonderful harmony of providence," says Josephus, (Antiq., 1. 2, c. 6,) “without a remark upon the almighty power, and admirable justice of the wisdom of God; not only in bringing Haman to his Verse 9. And Harbonah said—The courtiers that deserved punishment, but in trapping him in the very adored Haman when he was rising, set themselves snare which he had laid for another, and turning a as much against him now he is falling, and are glad malicious invention upon the head of the inventor." of an opportunity to sink him lower: so little sure Bishop Patrick observes, on this wonderful delivercan proud men be of the interest they think they ance of the Jewish nation, that "though, in the whole, have in others. Behold also the gallows, &c., stand-there was no extraordinary manifestation of God's eth in the house of Haman-He had probably observed it, or been informed of it by some of his brethren, who were lately sent to Haman's house: and this he said, either out of a dislike he had taken to Haman, for his great insolence and barbarous cruelty, or in compliance with the king and queen's inclinations. Which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king-And, therefore, deserved a better requital than this, even from Haman, if he had not basely preferred the satisfaction of his own revenge before the king's life. Now Mordecai is the favourite, and Haman being in disgrace, every thing is taken notice of that was to his disadvantage, or that might incense the king more against him. Then the king said, Hang him thereon-He takes no time to deliberate, but instantly passes sentence, without so much as asking Haman what he had to say in his own defence, or to offer why this judgment should not be passed upon him, and execution awarded. power; no particular cause, or agent, which was in its working advanced above the ordinary pitch of nature; yet the contrivance, and suiting these ordinary agents appointed by God, is in itself more admirable than if the same end had been effected by means which were truly miraculous. That a king should not sleep, is no unusual thing, nor that he should solace his waking thoughts by hearing the annals of his own kingdom, or the journals of his own reign, read to him: but that he should be awake at that time, especially when Haman was watching to destroy the Jews, and that, in the chronicles of the kingdom, they should light on that place where Mordecai's unrewarded services were recorded; that the king should resolve, thereupon, forthwith to do him honour; that Haman should come in at the very moment when he was so disposed; should ignorantly determine what honour should be done him, and be himself appointed to that ungrateful office: all this, no doubt, was from the Keeper of Israel, who neither slumbereth nor sleepeth, and was truly marvellous in his people's eyes."-See Verse 10. So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai-As the sentence was short, so the execution was speedy, and he that || Dodd. Mordecai is invested with the CHAPTER VIII. office and dignities of Haman, CHAPTER VIII. The estate of Haman is given to Esther, 1, 2. Esther petitions the king to reverse the edict against the Jews, 3-6. They are authorized to defend themselves, 7-14. The Jews and their friends rejoice, 15-17. B. C. 510. A. M. 3491. ON that day did the king Ahasue- || rus give the house of Haman, the Jews' enemy, unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her. 2 And the king took off his ring which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. 3 And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of HaChap. ii. 7.- - Chap. iii. 10.- 1 Heb. and she wept, and be sought him. NOTES ON CHAPTER VIII. Verse 1. Did the king give the house of Haman unto Esther-That is, he bestowed upon her the whole estate belonging to his family, his lands, his goods, his servants, his cattle, with all the money he had treasured up. All this is included here in his house, which, being justly forfeited to the king, is no less justly bestowed by him upon the queen, to compensate, in some degree, the danger to which Haman had exposed her. And Mordecai came before the king-Was by the queen's desire admitted into the king's presence and family, and probably made one of the seven princes. For Esther had told what he || was unto her-How nearly he was related to her, which till this time she had wisely concealed. Verse 2. The king took off his ring--That ring which he had formerly given to Haman, but had resumed, he now gives to Mordecai, in token of his favour, and with it that power whereof this ring was a sign, making him, as Haman had been, the keeper of his signet. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman-Not over his family, for that was destroyed, but over his lands and goods, given her by the king of which she made Mordecai her steward, to manage that great estate for her, as he thought fit. With what little pleasure, nay, with what constant vexation, would Haman have looked upon his estate, if he could have foreseen that Mordecai, the man he hated above all men in the world, should|| have rule over all that wherein he had laboured, and thought he showed himself so wise! See, then, the vanity of laying up treasure on earth; he that heapeth up riches knoweth not who shall gather them, Psalm xxxix. 6; not only whether he shall be a wise man or a fool, (Eccles. ii. 19,) but whether he shall be a friend or an enemy. It is our interest, therefore, to make sure of those riches which will not be left behind, but will go with us to another world. Reader, attend to this, and lay not up for thy posterity, any more than for thyself, treasures on earth. Verse 3. Esther spake yet again before the king -Haman, the chief enemy of the Jews, was hanged, | A. M. 3494. B. C. 510. man the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. 4 Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king, 5 And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces: 3 Esther and Mordecai, their chief friends, were sufficiently protected; but many others there were in the king's dominions that hated the Jews, and desire their ruin, and to their rage and malice all the rest of that people lay exposed. For the edict against them was still in force, in pursuance of which their enemies, at the day appointed, would fall upon them, and they would be deemed rebels against the king and his government, if they should offer to resist, and take up arms in their own defence. To prevent this, the queen makes intercession with much affection and importunity. And fell down at his feet, and besought him with many tears-It was time to be earnest, when the church of God lay at stake. Let none be so great as to be unwilling to stoop, none so joyful as to be unwilling to weep, when thereby they may do any service to God's church and people. Esther, though safe herself, here falls down and begs with tears for the deliverance of her people. To put away the mischief of Haman-To repeal that cruel and bloody decree which he had obtained from the king. Verses 4-6. Then the king held out the golden sceptre-Esther had presumed to come a second time into the king's presence without being called: which he did not take ill, but by this token graciously invited her to approach him, indicating that he accepted her person. So Esther arose-Having before fallen at his feet; and stood before the king-As a petitioner for her people; and said, If it please the king, &c.-She uses various expressions, that she might confirm the king's favour by such a full submission to his good pleasure. Even then, when we have ever so much reason and justice on our side, and have ever so clear a cause to plead, yet it becomes us to speak to our superiors with humility and modesty, and all possible expressions of respect. There is nothing lost by decency and good breeding. Let it be written to reverse the letters derised by Haman-She prudently takes off the hatefulness of the action from the king, and lays it upon Haman, who had for his own ends contrived the whole bu The Jews have authority A. M. 3494. B. C. 510. 6 For how can I endure to see the || that time in the third month, that is, A. M. 3494. evil that shall come unto my people? the month Sivan, on the three and or how can I endure to see the destruction of my twentieth day thereof; and it was written, ac kindred ? cording to all that Mordecai commanded, unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are 1 from India unto Ethiopia, a hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language. 7 ¶ Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. 8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, fmay no man reverse. k i 10 And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus's name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on 9 Then were the king's scribes called at mules, camels, and young dromedaries: siness, and circumvented the king in it. For how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred? -My heart will sink under it, and I shall never be able to survive it. She does not urge the innocence of the Jews, but only pleads their affinity to her: probably she knew that this plea would have more weight with the king, even than one grounded on their innocence. Verse 7. Him they have hanged, because he laid his hand upon the Jews-That is, intended to destroy them all. By what the king had done to show his resentment against Haman, they might easily believe he would deny them nothing for their preservation as if he had said, You see how ready I have been to grant your requests, and I do not repent of my favour to you, and am ready to grant your further desires, as far as the law will permit. Chapter iii. 12.—h Chapter i. 1.- i Chapter i. 22; iii. 12. * 1 Kings xxi. 8; Chap. iii. 12. || fence, verse 11, which, all circumstances considered, was sufficient for their preservation. How much more prudent is our constitution than that of the Persians, that no law whatever can be so established as to be unrepealable. It is God's prerogative not to repent, and to say what can never be altered. Verse 9. On the three and twentieth day thereof— Which was above two months after the former decree. All which time God suffered the Jews to lie under the terror of this dreadful day, that they might be more thoroughly humbled for, and purged from, those many and great sins under which they lay; that they might be convinced of their great sin and folly, in neglecting the many offers and opportunities they had had of returning to their native country, and to the free and public exercise of the true religion, which could be had nowhere but in Jerusalem, by which means they, being now dispersed in the several parts of this vast dominion, must be a very easy prey to their enemies, whereas their brethren in Judea were in a better capacity to preserve themselves; that their most malicious and inveterate enemies might have an opportunity of discovering themselves to their ruin, as the event showed; and for the greater illustration of God's glorious power, and wisdom, and goodness, in giving his people such an admirable and unexpected deliverance. And God so ordered things, that this letter should be sent in due time, before it was too late; for there were yet near nine months to come before that appointed day. And it was written unto the Jews-That they might understand their liberty, and be encouraged to use it for their own defence. And to the rulers of the provinces-That they should publish and disperse it into all parts, that both themselves and oth ers might take notice of the king's pleasure, and kindness to the Jews. Verse 8. Write ye also for the Jews-On their behalf, to the governors and commanders of the king's forces, or to whom you please. In the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring-I offer you my authority and seal, to confirm whatsoever you shall think fit to write. The writing which is written in the king's name, &c., may no man reverse This reason may belong, either, 1st, To the writing of these present letters; and then the sense is, These letters will be most effectual, being no less irrevocable than the former, and, coming last, will repeal the former. Or, 2d, To the former letters, as a reason why he could not grant their desires in recalling them, because they were irrevocable by the laws of the Medes and Persians. And this sense, though rejected by many, seems to be the truest, because here is no mention of reversing Haman's letters, which Esther had desired, verse 5, and the king de- || nied, for the reason here alleged; and because the following letter doth not contain one word about the reversing of the former, nor doth it take away that Verse 10. And he wrote in King Ahasuerus's name power which was given to all rulers to destroy all-Josephus has given us a true copy, as he says, of the Jews, chap. iii. 12, 13; but only gives the Jews this decree; or, as he terms it, of the letters which power and authority to stand up in their own de- || Artaxerxes sent to all nations which lie between In Mordecai appears publicly B. C. 510. B. C. 510. A. M. 3194. 11 Wherein the king granted the || camels went out, being hastened and A. M. 3494. Jews which were in every city to gather pressed on by the king's commandthemselves together, and to stand for their life, ment. And the decree was given at Shushan to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the the palace. power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and 'to take the spoil of them for a prey, n 13 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was 5 published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. 15 ¶ And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of 6 blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple : and the city of Shushan rejoiced, and was glad: 16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. 17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear 14 So the posts that rode upon mules and of the Jews fell upon them. 1 Chap. ix. 10, 15.- Chap. iii. 13, &c.; ix. 1.- Chap. iii. 14. Heb. revealed.- 6 Or, violet. Chap. iii. 15; Prov. xxix. 2. dia and Ethiopia; wherein he represents the abuse which favourites are wont to make of their power and credit with their prince, by insulting their inferiors, by flying in the face of those who raised them,|| and, to gratify their resentments, calumniating the innocent, and putting honest men in danger of their lives, &c. And sent letters by posts, and riders on mules, &c.—Which were not employed in the sending of the former letters; but these, coming later, required more care and speed, that the Jews might be eased from their present fears, and have time to provide for their own defence. Verse 11. To stand for their life-To fight for the defence of their lives, against all that should seek to destroy them. To cause to perish the power of the people, &c.-Either governors or governed, without any exception either of age, dignity, or sex. Both little ones and women-Which is here added, to strike the greater terror into their enemies; and according to the laws and customs of that kingdom, whereby children were punished for their parents' offences: yet we read nothing, in the execution of this decree, of the slaughter of women or children; nor is it probable they would kill their innocent children, who were so indulgent to their families as not to meddle with the spoil. Verses 12-14. Upon one day, &c.-Which day was chosen and appointed by Haman for their destruction. That the Jews should be ready against || that day-Should be furnished with arms, and all things necessary for their defence. Being hastened by the king's commandment-By his particular and express command to that purpose. Verse 15. With a great crown of gold-Which the chief of the Persian princes were permitted to wear, but with sufficient distinction from the king's crown. For it must be observed, that the word royal is not added here, as in chap. vi. 8, nor is the horse mentioned, as there, because no extraordinary ho P Psalm xcvii. 11.- - 1 Samuel xxv. 8; Chapter ix. 19, 22. r Psa. xviii. 43.- - Gen. xxxv. 5; Exod. xv. 16; Deut. ii. 25; xi. 25; Chap. ix. 2. nours are here spoken of, but only that honour, and that habit, which immediately belonged to the keeper of the royal signet.--Houb. The city of Shushan rejoiced-Not only Jews, but the greatest number of the citizens, who by the law of nature abhorred bloody counsels, and had a complacency in acts of mercy. Verse 16. The Jews had light-Light is often put for gladness, as 2 Sam. xxii. 29, and Job xviii. 5, 6, because it is pleasant, and disposeth a man to joy. And gladness, and joy-Here the sacred writer explains the former metaphor, by two words signifying the same thing, to denote the greatness of the joy. And honour-Instead of that contempt under which they had lain. Verse 17. A feast and a good day-That is, a time of feasting, rejoicing, and thanksgiving. Not only in Shushan, but in all other places where they resided, they entertained one another at their houses, and feasted together, being full of joy at this unexpected alteration of their affairs. For they doubted not that this new decree of the king would be observed by his people; and they were resolved to defend themselves against those that did not observe it. but attempted to destroy them. And many of the people of the land became Jews-Many of the Persians became proselytes to the Jewish religion, but that they were circumcised is not probable. It is likely, however, that they renounced idolatry, and became worshippers of the true God. Such proselytes there were in all times, especially in the days of David and Solomon, when the affairs of the Jews were very prosperous. Haman thought to extirpate the Jews: it proves, in the issue, that their numbers are greatly increased, and many added to their church. Observe, reader, when the Jews had joy and gladness, then many of the people of the land became Jews. The holy cheerfulness of those that profess religion is a great ornament to their profes The Jews slay ESTHER. their enemies. they thought them formidable, and those miserable that were against them. They plainly saw, in Haman's fate, that if any offered an injury to the Jews, it was at their peril; and, therefore, for their own security, they joined themselves to them. It is folly to think of contending with the God of Israel, and therefore it is wisdom to think of submitting to sion, and will invite and encourage others to be re- || heard, we have seen, that God is with you. And ligious. Another reason, however, is here given why so many became Jews at this time; for it is said, the fear of the Jews fell upon them. When they observed how wonderfully the divine providence had owned them, and wrought for them, in this critical juncture, they thought them great, and those happy that were among them, as was foretold Zech. viii. 23, We will go with you; for we have || him. CHAPTER IX. The Jews slay their enemies, 1-11. A second day is granted them, 12-19. A yearly feast is instituted, in memory of this great deliverance, 20-32. A. M. 3195. b e B. C. 509. NOW in the twelfth month, that || the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on A. M. 3495. is, the month Adar, on the thir-such as sought their hurt: and no teenth day of the same, when the king's com- man could withstand them; for the fear of them mandment and his decree drew near to be put fell upon all people. in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them ;) 2 The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of 3 And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and 'officers of the king helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. f 4 For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the pro Chapter viii. 12.- b Chapter iii. 13.2 Samuel xxii. 41. Chapter viii. 17.1 Hebrew, those which did the business that d Chap. viii. 11; Verse 16.-e Psa. lxxi. 13, 24. belonged to the king. ing the later edict, they expected to have power over them by virtue of the former, they made assaults upon them accordingly, forming themselves into bodies, and joining in confederacy against them. NOTES ON CHAPTER IX. Verse 1. The king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution-At the close of the last chapter we left two royal edicts in force, both given at the court at Shushan, one bearing date the thirteenth day of the first month, appoint- Verse 2. The Jews gathered themselves together ing, that on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, || in their cities-Imbodied and stood upon their dethen next ensuing, all the Jews should be killed; || fence, offering violence to none, but bidding defiance and another bearing date the twenty-third day of the to all. If they had not had an edict to warrant third month, empowering the Jews, on the day ap- them, they durst not have done this; but, being so pointed for their slaughter, to draw the sword in supported, they strove lawfully. If they had acted their own defence, and make their part good against separately, each family apart, they would have been their enemies, as well as they could. Great expecta- an easy prey to their enemies; but acting in concert, tion there was, no doubt, of this day, and the issue and gathering together in their cities, they strengthof it. The Jews' cause was to be tried by battle, ened one another, and were able to face their eneand the day fixed for the combat by authority. mies. And no man could withstand them—Their Their enemies resolved not to lose the advantages enemies, though they took up arms against them, given them by the first edict, in hope to overpower yet were easily conquered and destroyed by them. them by numbers. The Jews relied on the good- For the fear of them fell upon all people-Beness of their God, and justice of their cause, and re- cause they had such potent friends at court, and so solved to make their utmost efforts against their great a God on their side, who, by such unusual and enemies. The day comes, at length, and here we astonishing methods, (of which, doubtless, they had learn that it was a day of victory and triumph to the been particularly informed,) had brought about such Jews, both in the city of Shushan, and in all the a mighty and unexpected deliverance for them. rest of the king's provinces. In the day that the Verses 3, 4. All the rulers of the provinces, &c, enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them and officers of the king--Heb. and those that did -That day which was selected by Haman, with the king's business; that is, not only the chief pergreat industry and art, as the most lucky day, and sons, signified by the foregoing words, but all the which their enemies had undoubtedly often thought king's other ministers or officers, of what quality of, and threatened them with; when, notwithstand-soever; helped the Jews; because the fear of Mor |