Esther 4:1-17,Esther 5:1-5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 4:1-4

Here we have an account of the general sorrow that there was among the Jews upon the publishing of Haman's bloody edict against them. It was a sad time with the church. 1. Mordecai cried bitterly, rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth, Est. 4:1, 2. He not only thus vented his grief, but proclaimed it, that all might take notice of it that he was not ashamed to own himself a friend to the Jews, and a fellow-sufferer with them, their brother and companion in tribulation, how despicable and how... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 4:5-17

So strictly did the laws of Persia confine the wives, especially the king's wives, that it was not possible for Mordecai to have a conference with Esther about this important affair, but divers messages are here carried between them by Hatach, whom the king had appointed to attend her, and it seems he was one she could confide in. I. She sent to Mordecai to know more particularly and fully what the trouble was which he was now lamenting (Est. 4:5) and why it was that he would not put off his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 4:1

When Mordecai perceived all that was done ,.... By the king, at the instigation of Haman, against the Jews; which he came to the knowledge of, either by some of the conflicts or by common fame, or on the sight of the edicts which were published in Shushan; though the Jews think it was made known to him in a supernatural way, either by Elijah, as the former Targum F24 So Midrash Esther, fol. 94. 1. , or by the Holy Ghost, as the latter: Mordecai rent his clothes : both behind and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 4:2

And came even before the king's gate ,.... Or court, that Esther might if possible be made acquainted with this dreadful calamity coming upon her people: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth : or appear in such a dress at court, where nothing was admitted to damp the pleasures of it. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 4:3

And in every province whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came ,.... For destroying the Jews on such a day, in every place where they were to be found: there was great mourning among the Jews, and weeping, and wailing ; which continued all day: and many lay in sackcloth and ashes : all night; made use of no other bed to lie on, nor clothes to cover them with. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 4:4

So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her ,.... Her maids of honour and eunuchs that attended her, which they might tell her merely as a piece of news, there being something shocking in it to tender minds; or perhaps nothing more than that Mordecai was in sackcloth; and they might have observed, by some incident or another, that there was some connection between Mordecai and Esther, and that she had a peculiar respect for him: then was the queen exceedingly grieved ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 4:5

Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her ,.... Which, according to the Targum, was Daniel F1 So Midrash Esther, fol. 94. 3. & Jarchi in Dan. iv. 5. ; but it is not likely that Daniel should have lived to this time; however, this officer was not only intrusted with the care of the queen by the king, but she had also an high opinion of him, and therefore employed him in this affair: and gave a commandment to Mordecai,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 4:6

So Hatach went forth to Mordecai, unto the street of the city ,.... Where he was, in a public manner, expressing his grief and sorrow: which was before the king's gate : that led to the royal palace. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 4:7

And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him ,.... How that, for refusing to reverence Haman, he was incensed against him, and against all the Jews for his sake; and had vowed revenge on them, and had formed a scheme for the ruin of them: and of the sum of money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them the 10,000 talents of silver he proposed to pay into the king's exchequer in lieu of the Jews' tribute; which Mordecai observes, to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 4:8

Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them ,.... Which had now been published in the city; by which means Mordecai had had a sight of it, and had transcribed it; see Esther 3:14 to show it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her ; what Haman intended against the people of the Jews; as the Targum adds: and to charge her ; in his name; whose charges she had always regarded, both before and since she was queen; or in the name of... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 4:1-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 4:5-17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 4:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 4:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 4:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 4:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 4:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 4:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 4:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 4:8

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