Esther 5

1 the third day. That is, the last day of the fast. Esther, having worn the garb of mourning during the fast, now exchanged it for her royal attire.

2 when the king saw Esther. In the Persian palaces, the principal apartment, called the “inner court” (iv. 11), is open in front; so that the king except when the throne was concealed by a curtain, could see any one entering the hall.

touched the top of the sceptre. In token of he thankful acceptance of the king’s favour, and of her reverence and submission.

3 to the half of the kingdom. This form of expression probably arose from the peculiar mode in which the ancient kings of Persia bestowed grants on their favourites; not by direct payments from the royal treasury, but by giving them a charge on the revenues of particular cities or provinces; ep. Mark vi. 23 with Matt. xiv. 7 and Herodotus ix. 109.

4. I have prepared for him. Esther’s address and prudence appear in the method she took to ensure success. The court of the palace, where the king was surrounded by his attendants, was not a suitable place for the disclosure of so important and delicate an affair; nor was it likely that the king’s sudden feelings would be so lasting as was necessary for her object.

7. Then answered Esther, etc. Esther barely alludes to what the king had said, by repeating his words “petition” and “request”; and then, with feminine adroitness, avoids a direct answer, invites him and Haman to a second banquet, and promises dees to divulge her wishes; a sure mode of keeping alive the king’s curiosity; while at the same time it intimated that her petition was upon a matter of no ordinary importance.

8 to-morrow. This postponement gave room for other important steps towards the final catastrophe. See vers. 12-14, and ch. vi. In the meantime, Esther’s conduct still further ingratiated her with the king, and lulled the guilty favourite into fatal security.

9 he stood not up. It might have been imagined that Mordecai, when he saw the danger in which he and his whole nation were involved, would have tried to assuage Haman’s resentment. But, having no reason to repent of his conduct, he would not thus displease God and dishonour himself: see iv. 14.

10 refrained himself. Divine Providence restrained him, by means of his own passions, from immediate vengeance; his malice insisting upon a sweeter though tardier revenge.

14 gallows. Or stake, set up on a platform or turret; hence the great height, about 80 feet.