Esther 9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 9

We left two royal edicts in force, both given at the court of Shushan, one bearing date the thirteenth day of the first month, appointing that on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month then next ensuing all the Jews should be killed; another bearing date the twenty-third day of the third month, empowering the Jews, on the day appointed for their slaughter, to draw the sword in their own defence and make their part good against their enemies as well as they could. Great expectation there was,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 9:1-19

We have here a decisive battle fought between the Jews and their enemies, in which the Jews were victorious. Neither side was surprised; for both had notice of it long enough before, so that it was a fair trial of skill between them. Nor could either side call the other rebels, for they were both supported by the royal authority. I. The enemies of the Jews were the aggressors. They hoped, notwithstanding the latter edict, to have power over them, by virtue of the former (Est. 9:1), and made... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 9:20-32

We may well imagine how much affected Mordecai and Esther were with the triumphs of the Jews over their enemies, and how they saw the issue of that decisive day with a satisfaction proportionable to the care and concern with which they expected it. How were their hearts enlarged with joy in God and his salvation, and what new songs of praise were put into their mouths! But here we are told what course they took to spread the knowledge of it among their people, and to perpetuate the remembrance... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 9

INTRODUCTION TO ESTHER 9 In this chapter we have an account of the Jews gathering together, on the day fixed for their destruction, to defend themselves, which they did in all the provinces, and smote their enemies; Esther 9:1 . In Shushan the palace they slew the ten sons of Haman and five hundred men on that day, Esther 9:6 and at the request of the queen they were allowed the next day to hang up his sons, when they slew three hundred men more, Esther 9:12 , in the provinces they... read more

John Gill

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

Now in the twelfth month, that is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same ,.... Of which see Esther 3:13 , when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution ; even both his commandments and decrees, the one empowering the enemies of the Jews on that day to destroy them, and the other empowering the Jews to act both defensively and offensively against their enemies: in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them ; by virtue... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 9:2

The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities, throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus ,.... Wherever they lived: to lay hand on such as sought their hurt ; who not only threatened them what they would do on this day, but were risen up in arms in quest of them: and no man could withstand them, for the fear of them fell upon all people ; when they understood that Haman was hanged, and Mordecai the Jew advanced, and that the queen herself was a Jew, and that the Jews had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 9:3

And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, blessed the Jews ,.... Countenanced them and encouraged them, and gave them all assistance in their power; extolled them, as the word signifies, lifted them up, and spoke well of them, or praised them, as the Targum: because the fear of Mordecai was upon them ; he being now chief minister, they might fear, if they took part with the enemies of the Jews against them, they might be turned... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 9:4

For Mordecai was great in the king's house ,.... Not only over Esther's affairs, but was one of the king's counsellors, and was the chief minister of state: and his fame went out throughout all the provinces ; what a favourite he was of the king, as well as a relation of the queen, and how wise and just his administrations were: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater , was more and more in the king's favour, and had offices of honour and trust heaped upon him, and increased... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 9:5

Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction ,.... Some with swords, and others with clubs, and staves; as the Targum; and such like slaughtering weapons of destruction: and did what they would unto those that hated them ; being then entirely at their will, and under their power. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 9:6

And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. Not in the royal palace, where it cannot be thought the Jews had so many enemies, or such a bloody slaughter of them should be made there; but in the city, where the palace was: and this may seem somewhat wonderful, that there should so many rise there against the Jews, so near the court, now altogether in the interest of the Jews; but these were men no doubt of Haman's faction, and enraged at his disgrace and death, and... read more

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