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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 5:1-8

Here is, I. Esther's bold approach to the king, Est. 5:1. When the time appointed for their fast was finished she lost no time, but on the third day, when the impression of her devotions were fresh upon her spirit, she addressed the king. When the heart is enlarged in communion with God it will be emboldened in doing and suffering for him. Some think that the three days? fast was only one whole day and two whole nights, in all which time they did not take any food at all, and that this is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 5:7

Then answered Esther and said, my petition and my request is. What she should for the present make; the principal one she had to ask, for wise reasons, she still deferred. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:1-8

Human and Divine sovereignty. Prayer. These verses suggest thoughts on the sovereignty of man and of God, the suggestion being almost entirely one of contrast rather than comparison. I. THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN MONARCH AND THAT OF THE DIVINE . "The king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house" ( Esther 5:1 ). The words are suggestive of the exceeding pomp and state with which Persian majesty surrounded itself, of the power it wielded, of the obsequious... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:4-14

Prudence versus Guile. I. EVERYTHING HAS ITS SEASON . Why did not Esther at once lay open her heart to the king? Was she confused by his unexpected kindness, or seized with timidity at the moment of peril? Most likely she was prompted by an intuitive feeling that the time was not fit. She might lose everything by precipitancy. It is wise to study occasion or opportunity. Many failures have resulted solely from want of attention to time and place ( Ecclesiastes 3:1 ). II. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 5:7

My petition and my request is . Esther still hesitates to prefer her real request. We are not likely to be able in the nineteenth century to understand all the motives that actuated her, or all the workings of her mind. Perhaps nothing kept her back but the natural fear of a repulse, and a desire to defer the evil day; perhaps she saw some real advantage in putting off the determination of the matter. At any rate, she again declined to declare herself, and merely gave her two guests a second... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Esther 5:1-14

Haman’s humiliation and defeat (5:1-7:10)After three days Esther approached the king and invited him and Haman to dinner (5:1-4). She was so pleased with their friendly response that she decided to invite them again the next day, in the hope that they would be even more favourable to her (5-8). Haman thought that the honour given him by the queen showed that she, as well as the king, was pleased with him and agreed with his anti-Jewish policy. He decided to take the opportunity of this royal... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Esther 5:1-8

The first banquet 5:1-8Here we have another remarkable example of how God controls the hearts of kings (Esther 5:2; Proverbs 21:1; cf. Genesis 39-41; Ezra 1:1-4; Nehemiah 2; Daniel 2; Daniel 3; Daniel 4; Daniel 5; Acts 2:23). "To half of the kingdom" (Esther 5:3) is hyperbole and means, "I will grant even a very large request" (cf. Esther 5:6; Esther 7:2; Mark 6:22-23). Esther must have had a very good reason for postponing her request of the king (Esther 5:8), since delaying it opened the door... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Esther 5:1-14

B. The Plot Exposed chs. 5-7Chapters 5-7 carry us to the climax of our story. They show how God providentially preserved and protected His people.1. Esther’s preparations ch. 5Esther showed great wisdom in how she prepared to expose Haman as the enemy of the Jews and the Persian Empire. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 5:1-14

Esther’s Petition to the KingAn account of how Esther, being favourably received by the king, invited him, together with Haman, to a banquet whereat she promised to make known her petition, and how Haman prepared for the execution of Mordecai.1. On the third day] This indicates that the fast of Esther 4:16 is not to be regarded as extending over three whole days. 6. The banquet of wine] This presumably followed the dinner. Herodotus states that the Persians, though moderate at their meals, were... read more

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