Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Esther 9:4-19
III. ESTHER’S INTERVENTION 4:4-9:19Haman’s plan to exterminate the Jews created a crisis, and now Esther’s intervention with Ahasuerus provided the solution. read more
III. ESTHER’S INTERVENTION 4:4-9:19Haman’s plan to exterminate the Jews created a crisis, and now Esther’s intervention with Ahasuerus provided the solution. read more
The Jews Slay their Enemies. Institution of Purim3. All the rulers, etc.] The great massacre described in Esther 9:16 is thus represented as being in part the work of the Persian authorities with the forces at their disposal. 10. On the spoil, etc.] In this respect they did not carry out the king’s decree (Esther 8:11); their vengeance was not sullied by sordid motives.12. What have they done, etc.] An exclamation, not a question. What is thy petition? etc.] The king was willing to gratify... read more
(18) On the fifteenth day . . . they rested.—Both the fourteenth and fifteenth days are now kept as the festival of Purim, the former day being the chief. read more
THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF ADAR AND THE FEAST OF PURIM CHAPTER 9 1. The resistance and victory of the Jews (Esther 9:1-11 ) 2. Esther’s petition (Esther 9:12-16 ) 3. The institution of Purim (Esther 9:17-19 ) 4. The messages of Mordecai and Esther (Esther 9:20-32 ) Esther 9:1-11 . The fateful day, the thirteenth day of Adar, came and with it the retribution for the enemies of the Jews. On that day they gathered together to withstand all who would assault them. The princes and governors and... read more
THE JEWS VICTORIOUS (vv. 1-17) On the day prescribed in both decrees, when the enemies of the Jews expected to destroy all the Jews in the Persian empire, the tables were turned completely, for besides having the king's permission to fight for their lives, the Jews were given power from God to defeat and destroy all their enemies (v. 1).As it was permitted them, the Jews gathered together to make a united stand against the many who sought their destruction, and their energy was such that no... read more
DELIVERANCE COMES THE KING’S DECREE (Esther 8:0 ) The “house” of Haman meant his possessions (Esther 8:1 ). His death, however, and Mordecai’s distinction did not mean that the decree against the Jews had been annulled, which, indeed, could not be annulled, according to Persian law. This is the problem, now before Esther and Mordecai (Esther 8:3-5 ), and which the king solves by granting permission to the Jews to arm themselves against their executioners (Esther 8:8-11 ). The effect of this... read more
Reprisals Esther 7-10 WE have seen Esther in the attitude of lifting the index finger; we have now to consider the attitude of Haman whilst that finger was being pointed at him. The statement is marked by great simplicity, but also by solemn suggestiveness, "Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen" ( Est 7:6 ). Why was he afraid? Nothing had been stated but simple fact: is it possible that a man can be terrified by being reminded of simple reality? We may go farther in this... read more
(17) On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. (18) But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. (19) Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and... read more
1-19 The enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them by the former edict. If they had attempted nothing against the people of God, they would not themselves have suffered. The Jews, acting together, strengthened one another. Let us learn to stand fast in one spirit, and with one mind, striving together against the enemies of our souls, who endeavour to rob us of our faith, which is more precious than our lives. The Jews, to the honour of their religion, showed contempt of wordly wealth,... read more
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Esther 9:1-19
5. The Jews’ self-defense 9:1-19The king gave the Jews permission to defend themselves by killing their enemies. Evidently this meant that they not only met attack with resistance, but in some cases they initiated attack against those who they knew would destroy them. [Note: See Baldwin, pp. 100-2.] These would have been people such as Haman’s sons, who would have sought retaliation for their father’s death in typical ancient Near Eastern fashion. Anti-Semitism has a very ancient history.... read more