Esther 1:14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 1:10-22

We have here a damp to all the mirth of Ahasuerus's feast; it ended in heaviness, not as Job's children's feast by a wind from the wilderness, not as Belshazzar's by a hand-writing on the wall, but by is own folly. An unhappy falling out there was, at the end of the feast, between the king and queen, which broke of the feast abruptly, and sent the guests away silent and ashamed. I. It was certainly the king's weakness to send for Vashti into his presence when he was drunk, and in company with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 1:14

And the next unto him ,.... That sat next to the king, and was the chief in dignity and authority under him: was Carshena ; and so everyone in their rank and order, as next mentioned: Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan ; who, according to the latter Targum, were of different countries; the first of Africa, the second of India, the third of Idumea, the fourth of Egypt, the fifth of Resen, Genesis 10:12 which is framed out of Marsena, who is dropped, and the last... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 1:14

And the next unto him - the seven princes - Probably, the privy counsellors of the king. Which saw the king's face - were at all times admitted to the royal presence. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 1:1-22

The Book of Esther. There is a striking contrast between the Books of RUTH and ESTHER . The earlier book is an idyll; the later a chronicle. The earlier relates to lowly persons and to rural life; the later to kings and queens, and to a great Oriental metropolis. The earlier is the story of a family, and its interest is domestic; the later is a chapter from the history of a people, and deals with the intrigues of a court and the policy of a state. The religious character and aim of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 1:10-22

On the seventh day of the feast "to all in Shushan" ( Esther 1:5 ), the king having excited himself with drink, took it into his head to send a message to Vashti, requiring her to make her appearance in the banquet of the men, since he desired to exhibit her beauty to the assembled guests, as "she was fair to look on" ( Esther 1:11 ). His design must have been to present her unveiled to the coarse admiration of a multitude of semi-drunken revellers, in order that they might envy him... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 1:13-14

Counsellors. I. RESPECT FOR COUNSEL AND COUNSELLORS . This implies— 1 . A proper humility. Some men are too proud to seek advice from others; they resent it as an impertinence when it is offered. Others place so much confidence in their own judgment that they fail to see the need of extraneous help. But the facts of life, as well as the verdicts of conscience and religion, condemn both pride and self-confidence as foolish and hurtful. How often are they brought low in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 1:13-20

Counsel. The king of Persia had two bad counsellors, wine and anger. It showed some degree of common-sense on his part that, instead of acting upon impulse, he waited to ask the advice of his ministers, those privileged and trusted men who were nearest to the throne. If they had advised him well he might have avoided making an exhibition of his own folly to his people. But their plan was to fall in with the inclinations of their sovereign. This, whilst we must blame it, we cannot wonder... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 1:14

And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar , etc. The chief native advisers of Xerxes in the early part of his reign appear to have been Mardonius and Artabanus (Pers, Artapana ) , who was his uncle (Herod; 7.5-17). It is possible that Mardonius may be here represented by Marsena , and Artabanus by Admatha ; but the names could only have taken these shapes by a large amount of corruption. The other form have a general Persian air, but do not admit of even conjectural... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 1:14

Privileged persons. "Seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and sat first in the kingdom." It has always been the custom of kings to surround themselves with those who should be able to help or advise, or be the media of transmitting their desires or decrees to the people. These officers of state have been called "wise men," viziers, councillors, ministers. They form the executive. In Persia there was no electoral representation, the government was absolute. Hence... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Esther 1:14

In Marsena we may perhaps recognize the famous Mardonius, and in Admatha, Xerxes’ uncle, Artabanus.The seven princes - There were seven families of the first rank in Persia, from which alone the king could take his wives. Their chiefs were entitled to have free access to the monarch’s person. See the margin reference note. read more

Group of Brands