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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 7:8

Will he force the queen - On the king's return he found him at the queen's knees; and, professing to think that he intended to do violence to her honor, used the above expressions; though he must have known that, in such circumstances, the thought of perpetrating an act of this kind could not possibly exist. They covered Haman ' s face - This was a sign of his being devoted to death: for the attendants saw that the king was determined on his destruction. When a criminal... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 7:9

Behold also , the gallows - As if he had said, Besides all he has determined to do to the Jews, he has erected a very high gallows, on which he had determined, this very day, to hang Mordecai, who has saved the king's life. Hang him thereon - Let him be instantly impaled on the same post. "Harm watch, harm catch," says the proverb. Perillus was the first person burnt alive in the brazen bull which he had made for the punishment of others; hence the poet said: - - Nec lex est... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 7:1

The king and Haman came to banquet ( marg. drink ). In Persian feasts the solid dishes were few, and the time was mainly passed in drinking and eating dessert (Herod; 1:133). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 7:1-6

Accused and convicted. I. TARNISHED GILT . Haman would hardly go "merrily" to Esther's second banquet. His heart would be heavy with the day s disappointments, and his ears would be haunted with the gloomy vaticinations of his friends. The glory of the honour which had so inflated him was dimmed. Worldly delights that are ardently anticipated may be robbed of their promise even before they are touched. II. WHETTED CURIOSITY . The king's desire to hear Esther's petition grew... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 7:1-7

A crisis, a plea, and a deliverance. We have here— 1 . A most serious crisis. "So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen" (verse 1). The culminating point in this great issue is now reached. The lives of the chosen people of God throughout all Persia, in all her provinces, hang on this interview between an arbitrary sovereign, his wife, and his minister. Except the wife shall prevail over the crafty and all-powerful statesman, the race must die by one cruel blow. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 7:2

And the king said again . Esther had promised to let her real request be known at this banquet ( Esther 5:8 ). The king therefore once more gives her the opportunity. On the second day . On the second occasion of being entertained by Esther. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 7:3

Let my life be given me , etc. First of all, I ask at the king's hands my own life, which is threatened ( Esther 4:13 ); secondly, I ask the life of my people, in whose sentence it is that I am involved. Some rhetorical skill is shown in separating the two, so as to make them correspond to the two clauses of the king's address ''What is thy petition?" and "What is thy request?" read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 7:3

Spare our life! Was ever so unexpected a request presented as this? When the king in his capricious favour offered his consort whatsoever she desired, even to the half of his kingdom, she asked what might have been naturally enough implored from the royal clemency by some wretched malefactor condemned to expiate his crimes by death. Give us, me and my people, our life! How strange a boon to beg! A queen high in favour, at a royal banquet, to ask that her life should be spared, and her... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 7:3-4

The effectual prayer of a true priestess. From the darker side of human nature and its painful suggestions we are glad to come out to the light and air of its more hopeful aspects. We are able to do this now without presumption or incaution. A brittle thread of hope for the very despondent is still a welcome sight to the eyes of those who look on. The plaintive prayer of the oppressed is touching not least to those who may happen to overhear. And the signs of a deep sorrow sinking almost... read more

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