Esther 2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:17

And the king loved Esther above all the women ,.... The virgins he made his concubines, as next explained; though Jarchi interprets it of married women, for such he supposes were gathered and brought to him, as well as virgins: and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins ; who had been purified, and in their turns brought to him: so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti ; declared her queen, and gave her all the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:18

Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and servants, even Esther's feast ,.... A feast to all his nobles, courtiers, and ministers of state, on account of his marriage with Esther; which, according to the Greek version, was held seven days; but, according to Josephus, it lasted a whole month F20 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 11. c. 6. sect. 2.) : and he made a release to the provinces ; of taxes and tribute due to him, as was the custom of the kings of Persia when they came... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:19

And when the virgins were gathered together the second time ,.... Some think this second collection is that which was made when Esther was taken and brought to the keeper of the women, called the second, in reference to a former collection of them, made when Vashti was taken and made queen; but as there is no proof of any such collection then made, rather the case was this, such was the lust of the king, though he had a queen he loved, and a multitude of concubine's, yet a second collection... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:20

Esther had not showed her kindred nor her people, as Mordecai had charged her ,.... As not before, so neither since she was made queen, see Esther 2:10 , though, according to the Targums, she was urged to it by the king himself: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him : which showed great humility in her, notwithstanding her advancement, great respect to him, and a sense of gratitude for the kindness he had shown; and this charge to her was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:21

In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate ,.... Being, as before observed, an officer at court: two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those that kept the door ; of the inner court, as Aben Ezra, of the doors of his bedchamber; perhaps they were the chief of his bodyguards, as the Septuagint version; in later times, such officers were about the chambers of great personages as their guards F1 Vid. Pignorium de Servis, p. 408, &c.; & Popma de Servis,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:22

And the thing was known to Mordecai ,.... But by what means does not appear; the Jewish writers say F3 T. Bab. Megillah, fol. 13. 2. Targum prius & Jarchi in loc. , these two men were Tarsians, and spoke in the Tarsian language, which they thought Mordecai did not understand; but he, being skilled in languages, overheard them, and understood what they said; but, according to Josephus F4 Antiqu. l. 11. c. 6. sect. 4. , it was discovered to him by Barnabazus, a servant of one... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:23

And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out ,.... That these two men had entered into a conspiracy to take away the king's life; full proof and evidence were given of it: therefore they were both hanged on a tree ; Josephus F5 Ibid. (Antiqu. l. 11. c. 6. sect. 4.) says they were crucified; but hanging was frequent among the Persians, as Grotius observes, and better agrees with the word here used: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 2

The counsellors advise that a selection of virgins should be made throughout the empire, out of whom the king should choose one to be queen in place of Vashti, Esther 2:1-4 . Account of Mordecai and his cousin Esther, Esther 2:5-7 . She is chosen among the young women, and is placed under the care of Hegai, the king's chamberlain, to go through a year's purification, Esther 2:8-11 . The manner in which these young women were introduced to the king, and how those were disposed of who were... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 2:2

Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king - This was the usual way in which the harem or seraglio was furnished: the finest women in the land, whether of high or low birth, were sought out, and brought to the harem. They all became the king's concubines: but one was raised, as chief wife or sultana, to the throne; and her issue was specially entitled to inherit. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 2:3

Hege the king ' s chamberlain - המלך סריס הגא Hege seris hammelech , "Hege, the king's eunuch;" so the Septuagint, Vulgate, Targum, and Syriac. In the Eastern countries the women are intrusted to the care of the eunuchs only. Let their things for purification be given them - תמרקיהן tamrukeyhen , their cosmetics. What these were we are told in Esther 2:12 ; oil of myrrh, and sweet odours. The myrrh was employed for six months, and the odours for six months... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 2:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 2:3

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