Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 2:1-20

How God put down one that was high and mighty from her seat we read in the chapter before, and are now to be told how he exalted one of low degree, as the virgin Mary observes in her song (Luke 1:52) and Hannah before her, 1 Sam. 2:4-8. Vashti being humbled for her height, Esther is advanced for her humility. Observe, I. The extravagant course that was taken to please the king with another wife instead of Vashti. Josephus says that when his anger was over he was exceedingly grieved that the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:11

And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house ,.... Being one of the court, and in an high post, as Aben Ezra thinks, he might walk there without being examined, and called to an account for it: to know how Esther did ; to inquire of her health and prosperity, or peace, the word here used signifies, even all sorts of it: and what should become of her ; or was done to her, whether she was well used, or as yet introduced to the king, how it fared with her, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:12

Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to King Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of women ,.... That were prepared in the house of the women to be presented to the king for his liking; for it seems that these virgins came in turns to him, according to the time they had been in the house; as did the wives of the kings of Persia, as Herodotus relates F16 Thalia, sive, l. 3. c. 69. : for so were the days of their purifications accomplished ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:13

Then thus came every virgin unto the king ,.... When her twelve months were up, and she was purified in the manner before observed: whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house ; whatever she commanded the chamberlain was obliged to furnish her with, or grant it to her, whether for ornament, as jewels, rich apparel, &c.; or for attendance; whatever prince or peer she required to accompany her to the king, was to be obtained... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:14

In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women ,.... Or the other apartment of the house of the women, where were kept those the king had made his concubines or secondary wives. Aben Ezra interprets it the second time, and so the Targum by "again": to the custody of Shaashgaz the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines ; of which the kings of Persia had a great number; Darius, whom Alexander conquered, had three hundred and sixty F17 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:15

Now when the turn of Esther the daughter of Abihail ,.... For this was her father's name, and not Aminadab, as the Septuagint version: the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter ; which makes it quite clear that Mordecai was not Esther's uncle, as Josephus, but her own cousin: now when her turn was come to go in unto the king ; which the virgins under purification took by turns, Esther 2:14 , she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:16

So Esther was taken unto King Ahasuerus, into his house royal ,.... Did not return on the morrow to the house of the women, as those who only became the king's concubines did, Esther 2:14 , but she was taken to be his wife, and designed for his queen, and so was retained in his palace, and placed in an apartment suitable to the dignity she was about to be advanced unto: and this was done in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth ; and answers to part of December and part of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:17

And the king loved Esther above all the women ,.... The virgins he made his concubines, as next explained; though Jarchi interprets it of married women, for such he supposes were gathered and brought to him, as well as virgins: and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins ; who had been purified, and in their turns brought to him: so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti ; declared her queen, and gave her all the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:18

Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and servants, even Esther's feast ,.... A feast to all his nobles, courtiers, and ministers of state, on account of his marriage with Esther; which, according to the Greek version, was held seven days; but, according to Josephus, it lasted a whole month F20 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 11. c. 6. sect. 2.) : and he made a release to the provinces ; of taxes and tribute due to him, as was the custom of the kings of Persia when they came... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 2:12

Six months with oil of myrrh - See on Esther 2:3 ; (note). The reason of this purification seems not to be apprehended by any writer I have seen. The most beautiful of all the young virgins of all the provinces of Babylon were to be selected; and these were taken out of all classes of the people, indiscriminately; consequently there must have been many who were brought up in low life. Now we know that those who feed on coarse strong food, which is not easily digested, have... read more

Grupo de marcas