Esther 1:9-22 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 1:1-9

Which of the kings of Persia this Ahasuerus was the learned are not agreed. Mordecai is said to have been one of those that were carried captive from Jerusalem (Est. 2:5, 6), whence it should seem that this Ahasuerus was one of the first kings of that empire. Dr. Lightfoot thinks that he was that Artaxerxes who hindered the building of the temple, who is called also Ahasuerus (Ezra 4:6, 7), after his great-grandfather of the Medes, Dan. 9:1. We have here an account, I. Of the vast extent of... read more

Matthew Henry

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 1:9

Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women .... For it was not customary with the Persians, nor other eastern nations, to admit of women to their festivals F13 Justin c Trogo, l. 41. c. 3. , but they feasted by themselves. Who Vashti was is not known with any certainty. Bishop Usher, who takes Ahasuerus to be Darius Hystaspis, thinks Vashti was Atossa, the daughter of Cyrus, whom he married. The Targumist says, she was the daughter of Evilmerodach, the son of Nebuchadnezzar. Her... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 1:10

On the seventh day ,.... Of the feast, the last day of it, which the Rabbins, as Jarchi observes, say was the sabbath day, and so the Targum: when the heart of the king was merry with wine ; when he was intoxicated with it, and knew not well what he said or did; and the discourse at table ran upon the beauty of women, as the latter Targum; when the king asserted there were no women so beautiful as those of Babylon, and, as a proof of it, ordered his queen to be brought in: he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 1:11

To bring Vashti the queen before the king ,.... Not against her will, or by force; but they were sent to let her know it was the king's pleasure that she should come to him immediately: with the crown royal ; that is, upon her head, to make her look the more grand and majestic: to show the people and the princes her beauty ; for she was fair to look upon; which was not wisely done, neither was it comely nor safe. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 1:12

But the queen refused to came at the king's commandment by his chamberlains ,.... Even though he sent by them again, as the Targum; and so says Josephus F15 Antiqu. l. 11. c. 6. sect. 1. ; which might not purely arise from pride in her, and contempt of him, but because she might conclude he was drunk, and knew not well what he did; and therefore had she come at his command, when he was himself and sober, he might blame her for coming, nay, use her ill for it, and especially if she was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 1:13

Then the king said to the wise men that knew the times ,.... Astrologers, as Aben Ezra, that knew the fit time for doing anything; or that had knowledge of ancient times, historians, well read in history, and knew things that had happened similar to this: for so was the king's manner towards all that knew law and judgment ; it was customary with him in any case of difficulty to have the opinion and advice of those that were expert in the law, and well understood right and wrong. These... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 1:15

What shall we do unto the Queen Vashti, according to law ,.... The king desired to know what law was provided in such a case as her's, and what to be done according to it: because she hath not performed the commandment of the king by the chamberlains ? as this was the crime, disobedience to his commands, he would have those who had knowledge of the law consider what punishment was to be inflicted on her for it, according to former laws, usages, and customs, or as reason and justice... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 1:16

And Memucan answered before the king and the princes ,.... Who was the last, and perhaps the least and the youngest of the counsellors; it being appointed by the king, according to the latter Targum that when his counsellors sat, the least should give their counsel first; just as puisne judges, and the youngest peers with us, give their opinion in a case first: Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 1:1-9

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 1:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 1:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 1:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 1:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 1:13

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 1:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 1:16

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