Esther 9:1-2

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 9:1

Now in the twelfth month - What a number of providences, and none of them apparently of an extraordinary nature, concurred to preserve a people so signally, and to all human appearance so inevitably, doomed to destruction! None are ever too low for God to lift up, or too high for God to cast down. Must not these heathens have observed that the uncontrollable hand of an Almighty Being had worked in behalf of the Jews? And must not this have had a powerful tendency to discredit the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 9:1

To have power over them . Or, "to get the mastery over them" (comp. Daniel 6:24 , where the same word is used). Had rule . Or, "had the mastery." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 9:1

The antagonisms of nations. "In the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them. Though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them." This passage tells a history of vicissitude doubly remarkable. It may be put thus: there was, in the first instance, a great reverse of fortune in the experience of each of two nationalities. But this did not end all. At the same time it constituted a striking reversal of the mutual relations of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 9:1-16

Deliverance and victory. The history of "the chosen nation" is full of Divine deliverances. The present is only one of the many instances in which, by faith, the Israelites "escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens." I. THE MEANS of the deliverance and victory here related. Royal authority primarily accounts for it. Only by the sanction of the king could the Jews dare to draw the sword and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 9:1-32

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 9:2

The Jews gathered themselves together . Acting on the first clause of the edict ( Esther 8:11 ). In their cities . By " their cities" the writer means not cities exclusively Jewish, but cities where Jews formed an element in the population, as Susa, Babylon, Damascus—perhaps Rhages and Ecbatana—and no doubt many others. Cities exclusively Jewish, like Nearda, in later times (Joseph; 'Ant. Jud.,' 18:9, § 1), scarcely existed as yet out of Palestine. To lay hand on such as sought their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 9:2-5

A reign of terror. "The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities," etc. There were many greedy to possess the property of the Jews, and such as cherished spite against them, who were glad of the permission to slay and plunder, which Haman's letters gave. When the king's letters which reached the Jews gave them permission to withstand those who opposed, there must have been great perplexity in many minds and fear in many hearts. I. FOOLISH LAWS BRING ABOUT REIGNS OF ... read more

Group of Brands