Esther 4

Mordechai grieveth and lamenteth, being clothed id sack-cloth, verse 1. And so he came even before the kings gate. 2 The Jews mourn and grieve where so ever that proclaimation or decree is set up, 3. Esthar sendeth garments to Mordechai, but he will not receive them, 4. She maketh iniquiry by Hatach why he was thus grieved, 5. Which acquianteth Hatach with, 7. With a copy of the writing to shew it unto Esther, and to exhort her to go in unto the king, and to intercede for the Jews, 8. At which Esther is not a little troubled at first, 11. But Mordecai produceth and alledgeth such reasons, 13. That she promiseth him that she will go unto the king after that the Jews at Susan should have fasted and prayed three days, as she and her waiting maids would also do, 16.

1. When Mordecai knew [To wit, by the kings proclamations that were set up. See verse 8.] all that was done, [to wit, concerning the destroying of the Jews] then Mordecai rent his clothes, and he put on a sack with ashes: [That is, a mourning habit, or garment which he strowed with ashes. See Jos.6.7.] and he went out, through the midst of the city, [to wit, Susan] and he cried (with) a great and bitter cry.

2. And he came even before the kings gate, [That is, into the street which was before the gate of the kings Palace, as below verse 6.] for none might enter into the kings gates clothed with a sack. [Hebr. in garment of the sack.]

3. And in all and every country, [Hebr. And in all country and country] (and) place where the word (that is) the proclamation of the king, and his law came, (there) was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping, and distemper: May lay in sacks, and ashes. [Hebr. sack and ashes was laid, or spread under many: that is, many had a sack on, lay in ashes, as Jona 3.6.]

4. Then Esthers damsels [Meaning her Ladies of honour] and her Chamberlains came, and they made it known to her; [To wit, how Mordecai behaved himself, vers.1,2.] And is grieved the Queen exceedingly; and she sent clothes for Mordecai to put on, and to take off his sack from him: [to wit, that he might come again, to the Court, that so she might with the more conveniency discourse and advise with him about all matters] but he received them not.

5. Then Esther called Hatach (one) of the kings Chamberlains, [Hebr. gelden. Oth. Eunuchs] whom he had appointed for her, [Hebr. before her face: that is, who were to wait upon her, and to minister unto her] and she gave him a charge to Mordecai, to know what this (was) and why it was. [that is, she asked why he was thus grieved, and why he had put on sackcloth?]

6. When Hatach went forth to Mordecai, into the street of the city, which was before the kings gate.

7. Then Mordecai told him all that had happened unto him: [To wit, that which is written chap.2.] and the interpretation of the silver, which Haman had said that he would weigh into the kings treasures, [See above chap.3.vers.3.] for the Jews, [or against the Jews; that is, to the end that it might be lawful for him to destroy the Jews, as here followeth] to destroy them.

8. And he gave him the transcript [Or writing out, or copy] of the written Law that was given [That is published, set up, proclaimed or posted up] at Susan, to destroy them, to let Esther see it, and to acquaint her with it: and to charge her, [to wit, in the name of Mordecai that brought her up, who in that respect had kept some authority over her, although Esther was now come to be a Queen. See above chap.20.] that she should go in unto the king to make supplication unto him, and to intreat of him [Hebr. of his face; that is, that she should do it in her own person, and not make use of some other body for that purpose] for her people,

9. Now Hatach came, and told Esther the words of Mordecai.

10. The Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai:

11. All the kings servants, and the people of the kings countries do know well, [As if he should say, Every man knoweth it well, yea even those that dwell far off from the court, and from this city] that who so ever goeth in unto part of the Royal Palace, where the king resided. See below chap.5.1.] that is not called, be he man or woman (there) is one sentence of his, [that is, the kings irrevocable, or unrepealable law. Or thus, (there) is one manner of law concerning that (same): to wit, man or woman that doth so. Compare Dan.2.9.] to put him to death, unless that king reach forth, [or stretch out] the he may remain alive: [Hebr. may live. See Herodotus in Thalia,] Now I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. [all these, to wit, from the beginning of the verse to the end of it, are the proper words, which Hatach was to tell Mordecai from Esther, or in Esthers name.]

12. And thy made known to Mordecai Esthers words. [Or Esthers words were made known to Mordecai.]

13. Then Mordecai [Mordecai, so is he called here: but every where else, Mordecai] said, that they should tell Esther again: Imagine not in thy soul, [that is, with thy self] that thou shalt escape in the kings house, [that is because thou art in the kings house] more then all the other Jews.

14. For if thou in any wise holdest thy peace [Hebr. holding thy peace, holdest the peace] at this time [To wit, now when the Jews are in such a sad condition] then shall (there) reviving [Hebr. breathing, drawing of breath. Compare Exod.8.15. 1 Sam.16.23.] and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy fathers house shall be destroyed: [as if he should say, If thou in this extream necessity shalt shew no compassion, nor afford any help to thy country men and kindred; then surely the LORD shall punish this fearfulness and faint-heartedness of thine] and who knoweth whether thou art (not) come to this kingdom for such a time as this is? [as if he should say, Probably thou shouldest not have come to this Royal state or dignity, unless God would have made use of the as an instrument whereby to deliver his people at this time.]

15. Then Esther said, that they should tell it to Mordecai again:

16. Go, gather together all the Jews that are found at Susan, and fast ye for me, [As is she should say, In your fasting and praying see that ye be minderful of me before God, that he would give his blessing to the request and intercession that I shall make unto the king] and neither eat nor drink in three days, [this fasting continued but two nights, one full day, and two parts of days: For on the third day Esther went in unto the king, chap.5.1. See the like phrase, Mat.12.40. of Jona his continuance in the whales belly, and of Christs continuance in the grave] night nor day, I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: [whereof mention is made above verse 11.] if then I perish I perish. [It is as much as Esther had said, I am willing to hazard my life, and to expose my self to danger of death for my peoples sake, expecting what God will give. The like kind of phrase doth also Jacob use, Gen.43.14. See the annotate. There.]

17. Then Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.