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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 3:1-6

Here we have, I. Haman advanced by the prince, and adored thereupon by the people. Ahasuerus had lately laid Esther in his bosom, but she had no such interest in him as to get her friends preferred, or to prevent the preferring of one who she knew was an enemy to her people. When those that are good become great they still find that they cannot do good, nor prevent mischief, as they would. This Haman was an Agagite (an Amalekite, says Josephus), probably of the descendants of Agag, a common... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 3:7-15

Haman values himself upon that bold and daring thought, which he fancied well became his great spirit, of destroying all the Jews?an undertaking worthy of its author, and which he promised himself would perpetuate his memory. He doubts not but to find desperate and bloody hands enough to cut all their throats if the king will but give him leave. How he obtained leave, and commission to do it, we are here told. He had the king's ear, let him alone to manage him. I. He makes a false and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 3:1

After these things ,.... After the marriage of Esther, and the discovery of the conspiracy to take away the king's life, five years after, as Aben Ezra observe, at least more than four years, for so it appears from Esther 3:7 did King Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite ; whom both the Targums make to descend from Amalek, and to be of the stock or family of Agag, the common name of the kings of Amalek; and so Josephus F7 Ut supra, (Antiqu. l. 11. c. 6.) sect.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 3:2

And the king's servants that were in the king's gate ,.... Or court, all his courtiers; for it cannot be thought they were all porters, or such only that bowed and reverenced Haman ; gave him divine honours, as to a deity; for such were given to the kings of Persia F11 Vid. Salden. Otia Theolog. l. 3. Exercitat. 1. sec. 4, 5. , and might be given to their favourites, and seems to be the case; for, though Haman might not erect a statue of himself, or have images painted on his... read more

John Gill

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

Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate ,.... Observing the behaviour of Mordecai towards Haman from time to time: said unto Mordecai, why transgressest thou the king's commandment ? of giving reverence to Haman, which they knew he could not be ignorant of. read more

John Gill

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

Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him ,.... Putting him in mind of his duty to obey the king's command, suggesting to him the danger he exposed himself to, pressing him to give the reasons of his conduct: and he hearkened not unto them ; regarded not what they said, and continued disobedient to the king's order, and disrespectful to Haman that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand ; they informed Haman that Mordecai refused to give him reverence... read more

John Gill

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

And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence ,.... For, after the information given him, he observed and watched him, to see whether he bowed and did him reverence or not: then was Haman full of wrath ; exceedingly displeased and angry; it was such a mortification to him he could not bear. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 3:6

And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone ,.... That would not be a sufficient gratification of his revenge; he was too low and mean a person only to wreak his vengeance on; nothing short of his whole nation would satisfy him: for they had showed him the people of Mordecai ; that they were the Jews; for Mordecai had told the king's servants, that talked with him on the subject, that he was a Jew, and gave that as a reason why he could not and would not reverence Haman: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 3:7

In the first month, that is the month Nisan ,.... Which was the first month of the sacred year of the Jews, by divine appointment, Exodus 12:2 , and there called Abib, and answers to part of February and part of March; from hence it is clear this book was written by a Jew, and very probably by Mordecai: in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus ; four years and near two months after his marriage of Esther, Esther 2:16 , they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman ; being a Persian... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 3:8

And Haman said unto King Ahasuerus , Or "had said" F18 ויאמר "dixerat enim", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Drusius, so Patrick. , as some choose to render it; nor indeed is it likely that Haman should cast lots to know when would be a proper time to destroy the Jews, until he had got leave of the king to do it: there is a certain people scattered abroad, and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom ; for, though many of the Jews returned to their own... read more

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