Esther 9

Esther 9:2

as sought their hurt] As assaulted them; so as they were on the defensive part, and stood for their lives, chap. VIII. 11. and chap. IX. 16.

Esther 9:5

smote all their enemies] Wonder that they durst rise against the Jewes, considering the minde and power of the King, and Queen, and Mordecai for them; see ver. 3.

Esther 9:6

in Shushan] These likely of Hamans faction; eager set to revenge his death and downfal.

Esther 9:13

to do tomorrow] It may be necessity to preserve the lives of the Jewes in Shushan, against such as might seek an opportunity hereafter, to revenge the blood of Haman, his sonnes, and others that were slaine, might move her to this Petition; so to rid their hands of all their enemies.

Esther 9:16

seventy and five thousand] It argues a great height of malice against the Jewes, That Hamans ten sonnes, and others in Shushan, even on a second day; and so many in all the Kings Provinces, durst so assault the Jewes, that in their own defence they killed in all seventy five thousand eight hundred, likely most Amalekites; considering the Kings Edict for the Jewes, and the power of the Queene, and Mordecai, with the King, as hath been said: yet the Jewes laid not their hands on the prey and spoile, though granted to them by the King chap. VIII. 11. chap. IX. 10, 15, 16. to shew they did it not for covetousnesse; but to preserve their own lives.

Esther 9:20

Mordecai wrote] Some extend this to the whole Book: but more likely it relates to the point of Deliverance and ordaining the Feasts, ver. XXIII. 29. And herein the power of the Church is seene in Ordaining set annual Feasts, ver. 27. 29, 31. And so for Fasts, Zech. VII.

Esther 9:26

Purim] i. e. Lots. Of Lots, see the Annotations on Jonah I. 7.

Esther 9:31

the matters of the fastings, and their cry] The occasions that were given of their fastings, and cries, by which they obtained such a blessing. Some take this as a part of the Ordinance and Decree, to fast on the thirteenth day: And alledge for it the practise of the Jewes to this day.

Esther 9:32

in the Book] Some publick record.