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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 4:1-4

Here we have an account of the general sorrow that there was among the Jews upon the publishing of Haman's bloody edict against them. It was a sad time with the church. 1. Mordecai cried bitterly, rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth, Est. 4:1, 2. He not only thus vented his grief, but proclaimed it, that all might take notice of it that he was not ashamed to own himself a friend to the Jews, and a fellow-sufferer with them, their brother and companion in tribulation, how despicable and how... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 4:1

When Mordecai perceived all that was done ,.... By the king, at the instigation of Haman, against the Jews; which he came to the knowledge of, either by some of the conflicts or by common fame, or on the sight of the edicts which were published in Shushan; though the Jews think it was made known to him in a supernatural way, either by Elijah, as the former Targum F24 So Midrash Esther, fol. 94. 1. , or by the Holy Ghost, as the latter: Mordecai rent his clothes : both behind and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 4:2

And came even before the king's gate ,.... Or court, that Esther might if possible be made acquainted with this dreadful calamity coming upon her people: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth : or appear in such a dress at court, where nothing was admitted to damp the pleasures of it. read more

John Gill

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

And in every province whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came ,.... For destroying the Jews on such a day, in every place where they were to be found: there was great mourning among the Jews, and weeping, and wailing ; which continued all day: and many lay in sackcloth and ashes : all night; made use of no other bed to lie on, nor clothes to cover them with. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 4:1

Mordecai rent his clothes - He gave every demonstration of the most poignant and oppressive grief. Nor did he hide this from the city; and the Greek says that he uttered these words aloud: Αιρεται εθνος μηδεν ηδικηκος , A people are going to be destroyed, who have done no evil! read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 4:2

Before the king ' s gate - He could not enter into the gate, of the place where the officers waited, because he was in the habit of a mourner; for this would have been contrary to law. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 4:3

Fasting , and weeping , and wailing - How astonishing, that in all this there is not the slightest intimation given of praying to God! read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 4:1

Mordecai rent his clothes . Compare Ezra 9:3 , Ezra 9:5 with the comment. The meaning of the act was well understood by the Persians. Put on sackcloth with ashes . So Daniel ( Daniel 9:3 ), and the king of Nineveh ( Jonah 3:6 ). Either act by itself was a sign of deep grief; both combined betokened the deepest grief possible . And went out into the midst of the city . The palace was not to be saddened by private griefs (see the next verse). Mordecai, therefore, having assumed the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 4:1-3

The cry of a doomed people. The decree against the Jews was not yet known in the palace; Esther herself was not yet informed of it. And the signs of sorrow and mourning were prohibited within the royal precincts; nothing of ill omen was suffered to come before the king and his household. But in the city evil tidings (which ever travel fast) soon came abroad. 1. THE FIRST NOTE OF LAMENTATION WAS UTTERED BY MORDECAI . The rending of clothes in grief was practised by the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 4:1-3

Distress. We have a very vivid picture, in these few touches, of a nation's exceeding sorrow. We are reminded of ― I. THE HEARTLESSNESS AND IMPOTENCE OF TYRANNY IN REGARD TO IT . The king could cheerfully speak the word which caused the calamity, and then, when its sorrow surged up to his palace wall, shut his doors against the entrance of any sign of it; "for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth" ( Esther 4:2 ). The tyrant first becomes... read more

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