Esther 4:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 4:5-17

So strictly did the laws of Persia confine the wives, especially the king's wives, that it was not possible for Mordecai to have a conference with Esther about this important affair, but divers messages are here carried between them by Hatach, whom the king had appointed to attend her, and it seems he was one she could confide in. I. She sent to Mordecai to know more particularly and fully what the trouble was which he was now lamenting (Est. 4:5) and why it was that he would not put off his... read more

John Gill

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

Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her ,.... Which, according to the Targum, was Daniel F1 So Midrash Esther, fol. 94. 3. & Jarchi in Dan. iv. 5. ; but it is not likely that Daniel should have lived to this time; however, this officer was not only intrusted with the care of the queen by the king, but she had also an high opinion of him, and therefore employed him in this affair: and gave a commandment to Mordecai,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 4:5

Then called Esther for Hatach - This eunuch the king had appointed to wait upon her, partly, as is still the case in the East, to serve her, and partly, to observe her conduct; for no despot is ever exempt from a twofold torture, jealousy and suspicion. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 4:1-17

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 4:4-9

Sympathy. Although Esther was lodged in a palace and surrounded with luxury and honour, she did not lose sight of her kinsman, Mordecai. Least of all was she indifferent to his trouble and sorrow. Hence, when informed of his mourning, she sent to him, and, when aware of the cause of his distress, entered into it, taking his grief as her own. A beautiful illustration of sympathy—an emotion and disposition which adorns our humanity, and relieves men of many of their sorrows, and lightens... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 4:4-12

Sympathy. Mordecai's strange appearance at the king's gate made a stir in the palace. It was seen by Esther's "maids and chamberlains," and by them it was described to the queen. When Esther heard of the condition of the man whom she loved as a parent she was "exceedingly grieved." Then she took such measures as she could to show how much she felt and suffered with Mordecai. Let us learn from her conduct— I. THAT IN TIMES OF TRIAL THE SYMPATHY OF THOSE WHOM WE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 4:4-17

GRIEF OF ESTHER . HER COMMUNICATIONS WITH MORDECAI . SHE CONSENTS TO RISK MAKING AN APPEAL TO THE KING ( Esther 4:4-17 ). Esther, in the seclusion of the harem, knew nothing of what the king and Haman had determined on. No one in the palace suspected how vitally she was concerned in the matter, since none knew that she was a Jewess, and state affairs are not commonly discussed between an Oriental monarch and a young wife. It was known, however, that she took... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 4:5

To know what it was, and why it was . i.e. "to know what the mourning garb exactly meant, and for what reason he had assumed it." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 4:5

The cry of the wretched. "Then called Esther for Hatach,… and gave him a command to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was." Esther hears of Mordecai's grief from her maids and chamberlains. She sends raiment first. She then sends Hatach to ask Mordecai "what his grief is, and why it is." She is much troubled when she learns the real state of danger in which he and herself are placed. She does not seem to have thought so much about her people as about her uncle, who had been... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Esther 4:1-17

Esther agrees to help the Jews (4:1-17)Mordecai realized that the Jews’ only hope now lay with Esther, who, shut up in the women’s quarters of the palace, had not heard of the decree till Mordecai told her. He added that her duty now was to ask the king to cancel the decree (4:1-9).Esther pointed out that this was not as easy as Mordecai thought, for even the queen risked her life in making a request of the king (10-11). But Mordecai believed that God would not allow the Jewish people to be... read more

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