Esther 4

Esther 4:1

WHen Mordecai perceived all that was done] By the proclamation set out. See v. 8.

rent his clothes] Joshua 7:6.

and put on sackcloth] Jonah 3:5-6.

and cried with a loud and a bitter cry] Genesis 27:34.

Esther 4:2

And came even before the kings gate] Because he would advertise Esther of this cruell proclamation.

clothed with sackcloth] In the habit of a mourner, 1 King. 21. 27, 29.

Esther 4:3

many lay in sackcloth and ashes] Heb. sackcloth and ashes were laid under many.

Esther 4:4

chamberlains] Heb. eunuchs, Genesis 39:1. 1 Kings 22:9. 2 Kings 9:32.

told it her] How Mordecai grieved: for they could not tell her of the grief of the Jews in all provinces, which they knew not: therefore the verse before should be read in a parenthesis; for the matter they told the queen is in the second verse, not in the last before this.

Esther 4:5

whom he had appointed to attend upon her] Heb. whom he had set before her.

Esther 4:8

to charge her that she should go in unto the king] She was once under his charge, and indebted to him for a pious and charitable education, when she was an orphan, chap. 2. 7. and therefore, though now she were greater, then he, he thought he might make bold to lay a charge on her for a publike service, that so much concerned Gods Church.

Esther 4:11

of his] Or, for him.

except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter] This was a signe that the king did call him to him, and free him from the danger of the law, and gave him some hope that his petition was likely to be granted.

Esther 4:14

at this time] In this great extremity of Gods people

enlargement] Heb. respiration.

deliverance arise to the Jews] Thus Mordecai spake in the confidence of that faith which all Gods children ought to have, which is, That God will deliver them, though all worldly means fail.

for such a time as this?] For to deliver Gods Church out of these present dangers. The occasions which God offers us by his speciall providence to do good to others, must not be neglected by us.

Esther 4:16

present] Heb. found.

fast ye for me] Praying that God would encline the kings heart to grant my petition, and save my life.

and if I perish, I perish] I will put my life in danger, and refer the successe to God, seeing it is for his glory, and the deliverance of his Church.

Esther 4:17

went his way] Heb. passed.