以斯帖記 5:10-14 CUNPTS

Haman refrained himself . That is to say, so far as speech and act went. He said nothing; he did not strike his insulter; he did not order his servants to drag the fellow outside the gate and give him the bastinado. But he did not "refrain his heart. " He allowed the affront that he had received to remain in his mind and rankle there. It poisoned his happiness, marred all his enjoyment, filled him with hatred and rage. When he came home, he sent and called for his friends. It was not so... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:11

The multitude of his children . Literally, "of his sons." Of these we see by Esther 9:7-10 that he had ten. To be the father of many sons was accounted highly honourable by the Persians (Herod; 1:136). How he had advanced him above the princes . See above, Esther 3:1 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:11-12

Prosperity and self-gratulation. In Oriental courts, where promotion depends upon the favour of the sovereign, it is sometimes as rapid as it is undeserved, and as insecure as it is rapid. So was it with the worthless, vain, arrogant Haman. His career is full of instruction, especially as an instance of the effects and perils of prosperity. I. Observe THE ELEMENTS of worldly prosperity. 1 . Riches. The minister's position gave him the opportunity of acquiring vast wealth,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:13

All this availeth me nothing . The bitter drop in his cup deprived Haman's life of all sweetness. He had not learned the wisdom of setting pleasure against pain, joy against sorrow, satisfaction against annoyance. Much less had he taught himself to look upon the vexations and trials of life as blessings in disguise. His was a coarse and undisciplined nature, little better than that of a savage, albeit he was the chief minister of the first monarch in the world. So little proof is worldly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:13

Happiness marred. A little "screw loose" may spoil the working of a vast and powerful engine. A clot of blood upon the brain may suddenly deprive of life a man seemingly healthy and certainly powerful. A seeming trifle may spoil the content and embitter the life of a prince. And so mean a person as Mordecai, by so insignificant an act of disrespect as is here mentioned, may mar the happiness of a great minister of state like Haman, and may make even his prosperity miserable. I. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:13

The bathos of confession. After all necessary allowances and substitutions have been made, it may be very justly said that Shakespeare's Wolsey is essentially dwarfed by Scripture's Haman, and that not the finest of Shakespeare's five act plays—wonderful products of human genius as they are—but must yield to the ten briefer chapters, with their five chief characters, of our Book of Esther. The book is indeed a consummate epic of the human heart. Its photographs are vivid and accurate, but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:13

Unavailing honour. "Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long," etc. How many look with envy upon Haman as he rides forth. His servants hasten on before him, crying, "Bow the knee, bow the knee." Grateful to him is the reverence he receives. He cares not that it is reverence lacking respect, so long as there is outward obeisance. Such an one is sure to observe the least slight. His temper will not endure to see one erect head among so many bowed backs. I. THE CAUSE OF A PRIME ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:14

Let a gallows be made . Rather, "a pale" or "cross." The Persians did not hang men, as we do, but ordinarily executed them by impalement (see the comment on Esther 2:23 ). Fifty cubits high . This is a very improbable height, and we may suspect a corruption of the number. It occurs, however, again in Esther 7:9 . Speak thou unto the king . Haman's wife and friends assume that so trifling a matter as the immediate execution of one Jew will be of course allowed at the request of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:14

Malevolent purpose and pleasure. This one verse contains the record of "a world of iniquity," and shows us to what lengths sinners may proceed in their evil plans. Happily the sequel shows us that there is One who says to the raging sea of human malevolence and impiety, "Hitherto shalt thou go, and no further; and here shall thy proud waves be stayed!" Follow the clauses of the verse, and behold the progress of atrocious crime. I. WICKED COUNSELLORS . Wife and friends, instead of... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:9-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:11-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:14

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