Esther had not showed her people . To have confessed that she was a Jewess would probably have roused a prejudice against her, or at any rate have prevented her from being received with special favour. Mordecai, knowing this, had instructed her to say nothing to Hegel on the subject, and no one else, it would seem, had enlightened him. read more
Reserve and reticence. Both when residing in the king's house, under the custody of Hegai, the keeper of the women, and afterwards, when promoted to be queen, Esther concealed her family and her nationality. This is expressly mentioned in verses 10 and 20, and stress is evidently laid upon her acting thus. A general practical lesson may be drawn from this part of Esther's conduct. I. THERE ARE OCCASIONS FOR RESERVE AND RETICENCE WITH REGARD TO ONESELF . Such... read more
Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house . Mordecai seems to have been one of the porters at the main entrance to the palace, and his proper place was at the gateway. He contrived, however, during some part of each day to visit the court in front-of the seraglio, in order to see Esther, or at any rate obtain intelligence concerning her. read more
Watchful solicitude. It is observable that Mordecai did not remit his attention and care when his adopted daughter was taken into the royal palace. He still made it his daily business to ascertain her happiness and her prospects. Remark— I. THAT THE YOUNG AND INEXPERIENCED NEED TO BE WATCHED WITH A ZEALOUS AND AFFECTIONATE CARE . NO person with any experience of human life can be ignorant of this necessity. How many young people have we known who have been... read more
A relative's solicitude. "Mordecai walked every day before the court." Esther was cousin-german to Mordecai, being the daughter of his father's brother. Her relationship was not, therefore, very close, yet we see what great interest Mordecai took in her. The text teaches us— I. How GOD RAISES UP FRIENDS FOR THE APPARENTLY FRIENDLESS , Esther's parents were possibly very troubled, when passing from this world, as to what would become of their daughter. God, however,... read more
The Persians had no special contempt for the Jews; but, of course, they despised more or less all the subject races. Esther, with her Aryan name, may have passed for a native Persian. read more
Mordecai occupied, apparently, a humble place in the royal household. He was probably one of the porters or doorkeepers at the main entrance to the palace Esther 2:21. read more
Esther 2:9 . The maiden pleased him Because she was very beautiful, therefore he supposed she would be acceptable to the king; and by the divine power, which moveth the hearts of men which way he pleaseth. read more
Esther 2:10. Mordecai had charged her that she should not show it Lest the knowledge hereof should either make her contemptible, or bring some inconvenience to the whole nation: but there was also a hand of God in causing this to be concealed, for the better accomplishment of that which he designed, though Mordecai was ignorant of it. If Mordecai sought or desired that his niece should become either the king’s concubine or wife, he certainly acted contrary to the Jewish law, which forbid... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 2:9
The maiden pleased him . Literally, "was good in his eyes," the same expression as that which occurs in Esther 1:21 . And she obtained kindness of him . This is a phrase peculiar to the Book of Esther, and a favourite one with the author (see verses 15, 17; and Esther 5:2 ). It is better translated "she obtained favour" (as in all the other places where it occurs) than "she obtained kindness," though the latter translation is more literal . Her things for purification. See verse 12 ... read more