Esther 5:1-14 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 5:1-8

Here is, I. Esther's bold approach to the king, Est. 5:1. When the time appointed for their fast was finished she lost no time, but on the third day, when the impression of her devotions were fresh upon her spirit, she addressed the king. When the heart is enlarged in communion with God it will be emboldened in doing and suffering for him. Some think that the three days? fast was only one whole day and two whole nights, in all which time they did not take any food at all, and that this is... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 5:9-14

This account here given of Haman is a comment upon that of Solomon, Prov. 21:24. Proud and haughty scorner is his name that deals in proud wrath. Never did any man more answer that name than Haman, in whom pride and wrath had so much the ascendant. See him, I. Puffed up with the honour of being invited to Esther's feast. He was joyful and glad of heart at it, Est. 5:9. Observe with what a high gust he speaks of it (Est. 5:12), how he values himself upon it, and how near he thinks it brings him... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 5:1

Now it came to pass on the third day ,.... Of the fast; though the former Targum paraphrases it the third day of the passover, the sixteenth of Nisan; see Gill on Esther 4:17 , though it is probable this was nearer the time fixed for the destruction of the Jews, see Esther 8:9 , yet the Jews have fixed the fast of Esther on that very day, the thirteenth of Adar F6 Vid Reland. Antiqu. Heb. par. 4. c. 13. sect. 5. : that Esther put on her royal apparel ; in order to go in to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 5:2

And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight ,.... Which no doubt was of God, who has the hearts of kings in his hand, and turns them as he pleases; the king had not called her for thirty days past, or more, which showed coolness of affection to her, and now she transgressed a law by coming uncalled for, which might have provoked his wrath; and for a lesser matter than this was Vashti divorced; but yet his mind was inclined to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 5:3

Then said the king unto her, what wilt thou, Queen Esther ?.... He supposed she had some business with him, some suit to make to him, by her coming in this manner: and what is thy request ? signifying he was ready to grant it, be it what it would: it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom ; as it was usual with the Persian kings to give their wives cities for certain purposes; see Gill on Esther 2:18 , here Ahasuerus, out of his great affection to Esther, offers half... read more

John Gill

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

And Esther answered, if it seem good unto the king ,.... She humbly submits it to his pleasure, suggesting it would be exceeding grateful to her, could it be granted: let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him ; for the king; and supposing it would be acceptable to him, and the rather engage him to come to it, she invited his favourite; and chiefly, that she might have an opportunity of accusing him before the king to his face, and when alone. read more

John Gill

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

Then the king said, cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said ,.... That is, he ordered some of his servants to make haste and acquaint Haman with the queen's invitation, and to press him to make haste to comply with it: so the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared ; which was wisely done, to prepare for what she had to say to the king, when cheerful with wine, and when she had her adversary with him alone. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 5:6

And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine ,.... For such it seems the banquet was she prepared; it was not properly a meal, neither dinner nor supper, but a drinking bout; or, however, it was at that part of the banquet in which wine was drank that the king accosted Esther, when he began to be cheerful with it. The Persians at their meals had two courses: the first consisted of meats, &c.; at which they drank water, the other of fruits, when they drank wine; Aelianus F9 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 5:7

Then answered Esther and said, my petition and my request is. What she should for the present make; the principal one she had to ask, for wise reasons, she still deferred. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 5:8

If I have found favour in the sight of the king ,.... Or, seeing she had; for it was a clear case she had, both by his holding out the golden sceptre to her, and by accepting her invitation to her banquet: and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request ; as he had been so gracious as to promise in such a large and liberal manner as before expressed: let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them ; the Targum says, in the evening;... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 5:1-8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 5:9-14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 5:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 5:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 5:3

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 5:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 5:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 5:8

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