B. Esther Elevated 2:1-20The fact that God placed Esther in a position so she could deliver her people-even before they were in danger-shows His far-reaching providence at work for His chosen people. This revelation would have been a great encouragement to the Jews of the postexilic period, as it has been to all believers since then. read more
The Choice of Esther to be Queen. Mordecai’s Service1. He remembered, etc.] LXX has ’he thought no more of Vashti, remembering what,’ etc. 3. The house of the women] This was the house of the virgins, as contrasted with the house of the concubines (Esther 2:14).Their things for purification] Various perfumed oils and ointments (Esther 2:12).5. Mordecai] The name, though used by Jews (cp. Ezra 2:2; Nehemiah 7:7), was derived from tfie Babylonian deity Merodaeh (Marduk).Shimei.. Kish] probably... read more
ESTHER CHOSEN AS QUEEN (vv. 1-18) We read nothing more as to Vashti, whether she was simply banished from the king's court or killed. But it was four years before the king married a queen to take Vashti's place (cf. ch. 1:3 and ch. 2:16). For this marriage there was much preparation. The king's servants advised the king to appoint officers throughout all his kingdom to pick out beautiful virgins and send them to Shushan, to be under the custody of Hegai, the king's eunuch, who would... read more
THE JEWS IMPERILLED The events of this book belong chronologically after Zerubbabel’s company have gone to Jerusalem, and before the commissions of Ezra and Nehemiah. The scene is laid in Persia. Cyrus and Darius 1 have passed away, and Ahasuerus, son of the last named, and identified by some with Xerxes, and by others with Darius Hystaspes, is on the throne. He is a sensual, fickle, cruel despot. It was his great fleet that was defeated by the much smaller one of Greece at Salamis, about... read more
Esther 2:0 1. After these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. 2. Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: 3. And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women [the harem, always a prominent feature in the... read more
(1) ¶ After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. (2) Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: (3) And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain,... read more
Beautiful. Thus Abisag was brought to David, 3 Kings i. 2. The Turkish emperors select women from all their dominion, without distinction of noble or ignoble; as all are their slaves. read more
1-20 We see to what absurd practices those came, who were destitute of Divine revelation, and what need there was of the gospel of Christ, to purify men from the lusts of the flesh, and to bring them back to the original institution of marriage. Esther was preferred as queen. Those who suggest that Esther committed sin to come at this dignity, do not consider the custom of those times and countries. Every one that the king took was married to him, and was his wife, though of a lower rank. But... read more
The Choice of Virgins for the Position of Queen v. 1. After these things, when the wrath of King Aliasuerus was appeased, when the excitement attending the banquet and the affair of the queen's insubordination had subsided, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her, his brooding over the matter tending to make him melancholy and causing the king's counselors to suggest a course of procedure to him and to divert a threatening danger. v. 2. Then said the... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Esther 2:1-4
1. The plan to replace Vashti 2:1-4"Nearly four years have passed since Vashti was deposed. During that time, Ahasuerus directed his ill-fated Greek campaign and came home in humiliation instead of honor." [Note: Ibid., p. 711.] Ahasuerus had second thoughts about having deposed Vashti (Esther 2:1), but he concluded that the action he had taken against her needed to stand. The attendants’ plan doubtless appealed to the king’s ego (Esther 2:2-4). The writer called these men "attendants" rather... read more