Esther 2:23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 2:21-23

This good service which Mordecai did to the government, in discovering a plot against the life of the king, is here recorded, because the mention of it will again occur to his advantage. No step is yet taken towards Haman's design of the Jews? destruction, but several steps are taken towards God's design of their deliverance, and this for one. God now gives Mordecai an opportunity of doing the king a good turn, that he might have the fairer opportunity afterwards of doing the Jews a good turn.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:23

And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out ,.... That these two men had entered into a conspiracy to take away the king's life; full proof and evidence were given of it: therefore they were both hanged on a tree ; Josephus F5 Ibid. (Antiqu. l. 11. c. 6. sect. 4.) says they were crucified; but hanging was frequent among the Persians, as Grotius observes, and better agrees with the word here used: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 2:23

It was found out - It was proved against them, in consequence of which they were hanged. Perhaps the words עץ על ויתלו vaiyittalu al ets , they were hung upon wood or a tree, may refer to their being impaled. A pointed stake is set upright in the ground, and the culprit is taken, placed on the sharp point, and then pulled down by his legs till the stake that went in at the fundament passes up through the body and comes out by the side of the neck. A most dreadful species of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 2:19-23

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 2:21-23

A plot in the palace. All arbitrary governments are liable to conspiracies; all arbitrary, absolute monarchs to assassination. Especially has this been the case in all ages with Oriental despotisms. We know from history that it was so in Persia; and in fact this very Ahasuerus, if he was the Xerxes of history, fell afterwards a victim to a foul conspiracy. It was not always a political motive that prompted such plots; the motive was oftentimes personal—it might be ambition, or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 2:21-23

Conspiracy and fidelity. I. THE INSECURITY OF ANY POSITION THAT IS NOT WELL FOUNDED . The throne of a despot is like a house built on the sand, or like a city under which smoulder volcanic fires. There is no darker page in history than that which records the doings and sufferings of despotic rulers. It is in the nature of an autocratic rule, which subjects the liberty of multitudes to the will of one man, to breed discontents and plottings. When truth and justice are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 2:23

It was found out . The subsequent history shows that Mordecai's information was found to be correct, since he was ultimately adjudged to have deserved the highest possible reward ( Esther 6:6-10 ). The two conspirators were condemned to death and hanged on a tree , i.e. crucified or impaled, as traitors and rebels commonly were in Persia (see Herod; 3.159; 4.43; 'Behist. Inscr.,' col. 2. pars. 13, 14; col. 3. par. 8). And it was written in the book of the chronicles .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 2:23

Convicted conspirators. "And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out." Two men, Bigthan and Teresh, had a grievance. The king's favouritism may have pained them, or their own ambition galled them. Absolute systems of government, like that in Persia, generally foster conspiracies. Kings have always been "fair marks for traitors." Queens also have shared this danger. Our Queen Elizabeth said," In trust I found treason;" and, "I marvel not so much that I am, as that I am... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 2:23

Written, but not remembered. "It was written in the book of the chronicles before the king." The king had been delivered from danger, but he seems to have overlooked the deliverer. Ahasuerus had at least one faithful subject, Mordecai. This man had proved his loyalty by his acts, while Bigthan and Teresh paid the penalty of disloyalty by being hung. Criminals and the righteous were alike spoken of, in the chronicles of the king. I. MAN , EVEN WHEN HE PROMISES TO REMEMBER ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Esther 2:23

Both hanged on a tree - i. e. “crucified” or “impaled” the ordinary punishment of rebels and traitors in Persia.The book of the chronicles - Ctesias drew his Persian history from them, and they are often glanced at by Herodotus. read more

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