Esther 6

Esther 6:1-6

In this chapter, 1. The king makes Haman de honour to Mordecai for dislocating a plot against his life, ver. 1—11. 2. Haman’s friends farthest his deem, ver. 12—14.

1. ON that night + could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. 2. And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Sisthans and Terefs, two of the king’s chamberlains, the lawyers of the door, who fought to lay hand on the king Ahauserus. 3. And the king said, ‘What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.

How vain are all human contrivances! How easily can God disappoint the devices of his enemies to their confusion? He hath access to the spirits of men; and by means unseen, but irresistible, will accomplish all his pleasure. Mordecai as little dreamt of the honour which was designed him, as of the difficulties threatened him; and Haman as little suspected his morning visit to court would be attended with such consequences. We have here,

1. The king, restless on his bed; his sleep was sled: for he who seals up the eye-lids, had forbidden his to close. To a-mys the tedious hour, and perhaps to try this expediting result his wakeful eyes to lull reports, he calls for the book of prophets, and so God explained that the portion fixed upon was the detection of that dangerous conspiracy, to which Mordecai had been so instrumental. Note, The minutest circumferences may be pregnant with the greatest events; the opening at a particular leaf of this book, conducted eminently to the preservation of the Jewish people, and in them of God’s whole church in all future ages.

2. The remembrance of the service naturally excited enquiry about the honour and advancement of the person who had so well deserved it; and it appeared he had been overlooked and neglected; nor was he advanced to any higher poll than what he had held at court before. Note, (1.) The greatest services are often forgotten and unrewarded. (2.) In courts, modest more is usually overlooked, which forward flatterers through themselves into the seat of honour. (3.) When we remember the necessities which have been done us, the longer we have neglected to recompense them, the deeper should we count our arrears, and the more diligentful discharge there.

3. ¶ And the king said, Who is in the court? (now Haman was come into the outward course of the king’s house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him) 5. And the king’s servants said unto him, Behold, Haman handseth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in. 6. So Haman came in: and the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man + whom the king delighteth to honour? (Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour, more than to myself?) 7. And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, 8. Let the royal apparel be brought which the king wizh to wear, and the horse that the king stole upon; and the crown royal which is set upon his head: 9. And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the kings snoth noble princes, that they may aray the man misled, whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king de-

lighteth to honour. 10. Then the king said to Haman, Make hafe, and take the apparel, and the horse, as thou hast said, and the even so to Mordecai the Jew, that stretch at the king’s gate: 1 let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken. 11. Then took Haman the apparel, and the horse, and prayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

The banquet again is ready, and the noble guests stated; and now the king the third time demands the petition, and renews the solemn promise to grant it. Hereupon,

1. Either presents an unexpected request. She fought no honour for herself, or posts at court for her friends; more than these was at stake her life, and the life of her people; these he begs may be granted them, and the due decree reversed that threatened their fearful doom. Had it extended no further than the same, she had in silence submitted; but so cruel a mafiare was not only inhuman, but would be a loss to the government, for which the 10,000 talents of Haman could make poor satisfaction. Note, (1.) Persecution is not only impious in the fight of God, but highly detrimental to the state, where nothing can repair the loss of industrious subjects. (2.) When bodily life is at stake, how solicitous are we to obtain deliverance; when the eternal life of body and soul is in danger, shall we be less importunate?

2. With astonishment the king hears the strange petition, and with impatient eagerness demands who dared attempt so vile a deed. Probably in his cups the decree had been obtained, at least he little suspected his queen was mustered in it. Note, (1.) That is often done rashly and thoughtlessly, at which on a moment’s cool reflection we cannot but be shocked. (2.) Many form amazed at the wickedness of others, who overlook the same, or greater it may be, in themselves.

3. Haman is accused as the contriver of this disabusual scheme: to his face the queen charges him with his malicious design, and conscious guilt fills him with fear and trembling, before the enraged king, whom he had drawn into the heart. Also, If the terror of human majesty offended, overwhelms the traitor with horror and dismay, what will the dinner feel when arranged at the bar of God, and self-convicted before the eternal judge and king?

c Pres. vii. 14. c Chap. i. 6. f Jer. ix. ix. a Chap. ii. b Ibid. v. 14. f Ibid. vi. b. 1. 2. Prev. vii. 6.

7. And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath, went into the palace-garden; and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Either the queen: for ‘he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. 8. Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Either saw. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they ‘covered Haman’s face. 9. And Harbona, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. 10. So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath parched.

Esther 6:4-11

Probably when the design of God’s providence was answered, the king kept in peace; but no sooner awaked in the morning, than he is oblivious to honour the ungodied Mordecai.

1. He makes enquiry who was in the court; and who should be there but Haman, early attending on the king, big with impatience to see Mordecai on the gallows, and not doubting to succeed enily in his petition; him the king commands to be introduced, little suspecting the design of his maher, and probably counting it a happy circumstance that he was called for.

2. No sooner is Haman introduced, than the king proposes a question to him, v. 6, which fell love strongly interpreted in his own favour, and therefore he lavishly advises to heap the most signal distinctions on the man whom the king delighted to honour. He prescribes the royal apparel to adorn him, the royal crown to be set upon his head, the king’s own horse to carry him, and one of the chief of the princes as his footman and herald to lead his horse, and proclaiming the king’s delight in the favoured person, to command universal reverence and obeyance. Note, (1.) Pride and ambition are never satisfied with the most accumulated honour. (2.) Self-concelt, and a high opinion of ourselves, is a most dangerous rock, against which we cannot too carefully guard. (3.) It should be the delight of kings, and all in authority, to bellow honour on the deserving, and to encourage those who do well.

3. The king expressed his approbation of the advice, and Haman expected with rapture the issue; when how astonished to hear the name of Mordecai as the honoured person, and himself fixed on to lead his horse, and proclaim his high desires.

4. The mandate must be obeyed, and Haman, however flung with envy and grief, is obliged to comply. Mordecai is appurtened, his horse ready, and Haman the herald of his honour. If such be the dignity of him whom man will have exalted, what shall be their portion whom the eternal king delights to honour?

5. ¶ And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate: 1. And, but Haman haffed to his house, mourning, and having his head covered. 2. And Haman told Zerefs his wife and all his friends, every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wife men, and Zerefs his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the feed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not yet avail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. 14. And while they were yet talking with him, came the king’s chamberlains, and haffed to bring Haman unto the banquet that either had prepared.

Esther 6:7-10

We have here,

1. The king rising in fury, and retiring to the garden of the banqueting-house, that he might compose his ruffled spirits,

and deliverant: or Haman’s punishment. Note, (1.) Judges must be used in their decisions, and however glaring or aggravated the offence, preserve their temper towards the criminal. (2.) It is very difficult to restrain the first part of sudden and heinous provocation.

3. Haman perceived by the king’s abrupt departure, his ruin determined; and with abject substation falls at the queen’s feet, to beg his life at her hands. Note, (1.) The most haughty in prosperity, are usually the most dejected in adversity. (2.) The enemies of God’s people, however proud and unborn, must one day bow at their feet.

4. The king returning, found him at Either’s feet; and filled with prejudice, interprets his most innocent, nay commendable humiliation, into a design unnecessarily criminal. Note, When a man’s character is proved to be infamous and abandoned, every motion creates suspicion.

5. No sooner is Haman’s ruin evident, than they who late adored him, are ready to hurry him down the precipice; so support are high places, and so precarious kings’ favour. The King of kings is not thus changeable in his regards. They cover his face, as a person unworthy the royal prelence, or as a malefactor prepared for execution; and one of them who had called Haman in the morning to the banquet, acquaints the king with the gallows erected at the door, obligated for that loyal subject Mordecai, to whose fidelity the king had owed his life. Hereupon instantly the king orders his execution, and on this very gallows a righteous sentence, and just retaliation. Note, (1.) With more terrible confusion will the sinner’s face be covered in the great day of the wrath of the Lamb. (2.) The malicious often fall themselves into the pit they have digged for others.

6. The execution is no sooner ordered than done. Haman hangs a spectacle and warning to all the children of pride; and now justice is satisfied, the king’s anger subdues.

Esther 6:12-14

With very different sensations these two returned; the one to his place at court, the other to his house in the city. Mordecai thanked and comforted, receiving the favour done him as a token for good, that God would shall the designs of his inveterate enemy. Haman covered with confusion, flung with envy, and mourning as under the bitterest affliction; thus will God render tribulation to those who trouble his people, but to us who are troubled, rest with him.

1. Haman unhooves his griefs to his wife and friends. Usually the communicating our afflictions is a relief, here it tended to aggravate their burden. For,

2. They prove miserable comfortors, and read his doom instead of touching his complaints. They foresee the disappointment of all his schemes: Mordecai is of the feed of the Jews, and no weapon forged against them can prosper; they preach his own fall in the struggle, and heighten his distress into despair; what had happened was but the earnest of what would ensue. Note, (1.) It is in vain fighting against those whom God protects. (2.) Falling favourites hurry downwards fall. (3.) Sad pledges of approaching ruin, often seize the sinner before destruction comes upon him to the uttermost.

3. Haman’s grief probably made him disloy, and he forebodied now no good from the banquet in which he had so lately gloried. The eunuchs are sent to hasten him, and he goes; where we shall find him, in the next chapter, receiving the judgment he had so well deserved.

6 R CHAP.

At the second banquet, 1. Either petitions for hot-offs, and the life of her people, ver. 1—4. 2. She assails Haman as the author of the plot, ver. 5, 6. 3. The king heresque orders him to be hanged on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai, which was done accordingly, ver. 7—10.

Heb. Dunk. c Chap. v. 6. Ibid. ii. & iv. 7. c Chap. ii. Heb. The man, the advertory. Heb. At the preface of.

1. So the king and Haman came to banquet with Either the queen. 2. And the king said again to Either, on the second day, ‘at the banquet of wine, What at thy petition, queen Either? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, ever to the half of the kingdom. 3. Then Either the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy fight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request. 4. For ‘we are fold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish: but if we had been fold for bond-men and bond-women, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage. 5. ¶ Then the king Aha-fuerus answered and said unto Either the queen, Who is he? and where is he that thrift petition in his heart to do so? 6. And Either said, The advertory and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.