Esther 7

The king promiseth Esther again to give her what so ever she should desire, vers.1, &c. She maketh suit for her own life, and her peoples 3. She discovering Hamans wicked plot, 4. Who maketh request to Esther for his life, perceiving the king to be sore displeased with him, 7. His face is covered, to the end that he might see the king no more.8. Charbona telleth the king, that Haman had caused a Gallowes of fifty cubits high to be made, to hang Mordechai thereon? The king commandeth that Haman himself should be hanged thereon, 9. Which was done, 10.

1. When the king was come with Haman, to drink [That is, to feast and to be merry, as Genes.43.34.] with Esther the Queen:

2. Then said the king unto Esther, also on the second day [That is, on the day of the second feast, or banquet, whereof mention is made above chap.5.8.] at the banquet of wine, [see above chap.5.6. so likewise below v.7.] what is thy petition, Queen Esther? And it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? It shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.

3. Then Esther the Queen answered, and said, if I, O king have found grace in thine eyes, and if it seem good unto the king, let my life [Hebr. my soul] be given me for my petitions sake, and my people, [to wit, the Jews, of whom I am descended. Oth. and my peoples, to wit, soul, or life] for my requests sake.

4. For we are sold, [To wit, by Haman, unto thee, for a great sum of money. It seemeth that Esther hath an eye to the proffer of the money that Haman had made. See above chap.3.9. and 4.8.] I, and my people, that they should destroy, kill, and cut (us) off: if we yet had been sold [or, oh that we had been sold] for bond-men, and for bond-women; [to wit, for the Kings gain, or profit] I had held my tongue, although the oppressor could no ways make good the kings damage. [Esther intimateth hereby, that the King got great profit by the Jews, to wit, by reason of the customs, or tributes, or taxes, which they were to pay: And she saith, that the damage which the king should sustain by the destroying of the Jews throughout all his Kingdoms and dominions, should be so great, that Haman with his ten thousand talents of silver (mentioned above chap.3.9.) would not be able to countervail or make good the same. Oth. the oppression (that is, the gain or profit, that would arise and come by the oppression) could not be compared with the Kings damage.]

5. The king Ahasueros spake, and said unto Esther the Queen, who is that; and where is that (man) that hath filled his heart to do so? [That is, that hath firmly resolved in his heart to execute this . Hebr. that hath filled his heart. See the like phrase, Acts 5:3.]

6. And Esther said, the man, the oppressor and enemy is this evil Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the face of the king, and of the Queen.

7. And the king arose from the banquet of wine in his wrath, (and went) into the palace-garden: [That is, into the garden that was at, or by the palace] and Haman remained standing, to make request concerning his life [Hebr. his soul, as vers.3.] to Esther the Queen, for he saw, that evil was fully determined [Hebr. was accomplished] against him by the king. [see Prov.16.14. and 20.2.]

8. When the king returned out of the palace-garden into the house of the banquet of wine, then Haman was fallen upon the bed, [understand here such kind of bed, or crouch, as was mentioned above chap.1.6. being made for to lie down at the Table when they did it. Thus our saviour and his disciples did not sit, but lie at Table, Matth.26.20. for this was formerly a custom among the Persians, Romans, and other nations, to wit, to lie down at the Table, when they did eat] whereon Esther was: [Haman was fallen upon the bed, whereon Esther lay, to wit, to beg and crave of her, that she would be pleased to entreat the King to spare his life] then said the king, will he also force [or, offer violence, over-power] the Queen indeed by me [that is, before me, in my presence] in the house? [to wit, in this banqueting house] The word [or, a word; that is, a command, or, precept] went out of the kings mouth, and they covered Hamans face. [he that among the Persians fell into the kings displeasure, his face was covered, as being not worthy to behold the King. See Job 9:24.]

9. And Charbona one of the Chamberlaines (standing) before the face of the king, said, behold also the Gallowes which Haman hath made for Mordechai, [To wit. To hang him thereon. This it may be Charbona had heard of some of Hamans household, when he was sent to fetch him away to the second banquet, and saw the gallows there set up] who hath spoken good for the king, [to wit, in discovering the conspiracy of the Chamberlaines against the King, wherein he did exceeding well, performing thereby the greatest piece of service unto the could be done to him, namely, in preserving and saving his life. See above chap.2.v.21,22.] standeth by Hamans house. Then the king said, hang him thereon.

10. So they hanged Haman on the gallows, that he had caused to the prepared for Mordechai: And the Kings wrath was pacified.