Esther 2:19-4:17 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 2:1-20

How God put down one that was high and mighty from her seat we read in the chapter before, and are now to be told how he exalted one of low degree, as the virgin Mary observes in her song (Luke 1:52) and Hannah before her, 1 Sam. 2:4-8. Vashti being humbled for her height, Esther is advanced for her humility. Observe, I. The extravagant course that was taken to please the king with another wife instead of Vashti. Josephus says that when his anger was over he was exceedingly grieved that the... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 2:5-20

Esther. The strange plan adopted for the providing of a new queen in the room of Vashti resulted in a good choice. We need not assume that Esther was a willing- candidate for royal honours. The account we have favours the belief that she passively yielded to a power which she could not resist. Among the attractive qualities she possessed, we may notice— I. BEAUTY . She had a fair form and a good countenance. Physical beauty is not to be despised. It is one of God's gifts, and has... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 2:5-20

Mordecai. Mordecai possessed a lofty nature, and was destined to do great things; but our notice of him here is restricted to his relation to Esther up to the time when she was made queen. He presents to our view— I. A FINE NATURAL DISPOSITION . When his cousin Esther lost her parents he "took her for his own daughter." His heart and home were at once opened to the little orphaned girl. The natures of men vary greatly. Some are born tender, some hard; but all may do much to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 2:19

When the virgins were gathered together . Rather, "When virgins." There is no article. The fact seems to be mentioned simply as furnishing a date, and we must suppose both that there was a second gathering, and that the time when it happened was generally known to the Jews and Persians. Then Mordecai sat, etc. The three verses, 19, 20, 21, hang together, and form a single sentence: "When virgins were gathered together a second time, and Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate—now Esther had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 2:19-23

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Esther 2:19

When the virgins ... - Rather, “when virgins” etc. The words begin a new paragraph. There was a second collection of virgins (after that of Esther 2:8), and it was at the time of this second collection that Mordecai had the good fortune to save the king’s life. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Esther 2:19

Esther 2:19. When the virgins were gathered together the second time They in all probability were gathered together first in the provinces, and afterward in Susa, before they were taken into the house of the king’s chamberlain. The writer now goes back to what happened before Esther’s marriage. Then Mordecai sat in the king’s gate It was ordered by Cyrus, as Xenophon informs us, Cyropaæd., lib. 8, that all persons whatever, who had any employment at court, should attend at the palace... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Esther 2:1-23

1:1-2:23 ESTHER BECOMES QUEENOfficials and leading citizens from all over the Persian Empire had gathered in the winter capital for an exhibition designed to display the riches and magnificence of the royal court. The exhibition lasted six months and was brought to a fitting climax by a lavish seven-day banquet (1:1-9). The week of wine and merriment so excited the king that his sexual urges were in danger of getting out of control. Consequently, when he told his queen Vashti to display her... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Esther 2:19

when, &c. = while they were collecting, &c. sat in the king's gate. Mordecai was of the king's household. See Esther 2:5 . This guarded Esther's interests, and enabled him to obtain all information. (N. B. Haman lived in his own house with his family in the city.) read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 2:1-20

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 2:5-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 2:5-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 2:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 2:19-23

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Esther 2:19

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Esther 2:19

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Esther 2:1-23

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Esther 2:19

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