Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/tsk18/v20700

Text File | 1994-08-20 | 13.3 KB | 429 lines

20700
 * A.M. 3547.  B.C. 457.  made a great.
 # 1:3-5 Ge 29:22 Jud 14:10-17 So 3:11 5:1 Mt 22:2 Lu 14:8
 # Re 19:9
 * he made.
   We learn from Herodotus and Athenæus, that the Persian
   monarchs were accustomed to give their wives distinct cities
   and provinces for the purpose of supplying them with different
   articles of dress:  one was assigned for ornamenting the head
   and neck; another provided robes, zones, etc.; and the city of
   Anthilla was given to a Persian queen, we read, to supply her
   with shoes and sandals.  It is probable, therefore, that, at
   the desire of Esther, Ahasuerus relieved those cities and
   provinces that had before paid it, from this expense.

 * release.  Heb. rest.  gave gifts.
 # 9:22 1Sa 25:8 Ne 8:11 Re 11:10
20701
 * the virgins.
 # 3,4
 * sat in the king's gate.
 # 21 3:2,3 5:13
20702
 * had not yet shewed.
 # 10
 * for Esther.
 # Eph 6:1-3
20703
 * Bigthan.
 # 6:2
 * Bigthana.  door.  Heb. threshold.  and sought.
 # 2Sa 4:5,6 16:11 1Ki 15:25-27 16:9 2Ki 9:22-24 12:20 21:23
 # Ps 144:10
20704
 * the thing.
 # Ec 10:20 Ac 23:12-22
 * and Esther certified.
 # 6:1,2 Ro 11:33
 * Mordecai's name.
 # Php 2:4
20705
 * hanged.
 # 5:14 7:10 Ge 40:19,22 De 21:22,23 Jos 8:29
 * the book.
 # 6:1,2 Mal 3:16
20706
  1  Haman, advanced by the king, and despised by Mordecai,
     seeks revenge upon all the Jews.
  7  He casts lots.
  8  He obtains by calumniation a decree of the king to put the
     Jews to death.

 * A.M. 3551.  B.C. 453.  promote Haman.
 # 7:6 Ps 12:8 Pr 29:2
 * Agagite.
 # Nu 24:7 1Sa 15:8,33
 * above all the princes.
 # 1:14 Ge 41:40,55 Ezr 7:14 Da 6:2
20707
 * the king's servants.
   Dr. Shaw, speaking of the cities in the East, says, "If we
   quit the streets, and enter into any of the principal houses,
   we shall first pass through a porch, or gate-way, with benches
   on each side, where the master of the family receives visits,
   and despatches business; few persons, not even the nearest
   relations, having admission any farther, except upon
   extraordinary occasions."  These servants were probably
   officers who here waited the king's call; and it is likely
   that Mordecai was one of them.

 # 2:19,21
 * bowed.
 # Ge 41:43 Php 2:10
 * bowed not.
   {Yichrâ welo yishtachaweh,} "bowed not down, nor prostrated
   himself," or worshipped him.  Had this meant only civil
   reverence the king would not have needed to command it; nor
   would Mordecai have refused it; there was, therefore, some
   kind of divine honour intended, such as was paid to the
   Persian kings, and which even the Greeks refused, as express
   adoration.

 # 1,5 Ex 17:14,16 De 25:19 1Sa 15:3 Ps 15:4
20708
 * Why.
 # 2 Ex 1:17 Mt 15:2,3
20709
 * when they spake.
 # Ge 39:10
 * that they told.
 # Da 3:8,9 6:13
 * he had told.
 # Ezr 1:3 Da 3:12,16-18,23-30 6:20-28 Jon 1:9
20710
 * that Mordecai.
 # 2 5:9
 * full of wrath.
 # 1:12 Ge 4:5,6 Job 5:2 Pr 12:16 19:19 21:24 27:3,4 Da 3:19
20711
 * sought.
 # Ps 83:4 Re 12:12
20712
 * the first month.
 # Ne 2:1
 * in the twelfth.
 # 1:3 2:16
 * they cast Pur.
 # 9:24-26 Pr 16:33 Eze 21:21,22 Mt 27:35
 * Adar.
 # 9:1,5,17-19,21 Ezr 6:15
20713
 * scattered abroad.
 # Le 26:33 De 4:27 30:3 32:26 Ne 1:8 Jer 50:17 Eze 6:8 11:16
 # Zec 7:14 Joh 7:35 Jas 1:1 1Pe 1:1
 * their laws.
 # Ezr 4:12-15 Ac 16:20,21 17:6,7 24:5 28:22
 * for the king's profit to.  Heb. meet, or equal for the king
   to, etc.
20714
 * that they may be destroyed.  Heb. to destroy them.  and I
   will pay.  Heb. and I will weigh.
 # Ge 23:16
   Here Haman is obliged to acknowledge that there would be a
   loss to the revenue, which he was willing to make up out of
   his own property.  Ten thousand talents of silver, counted by
   the Babylonish talent, amount to 2,119,000£.; but reckoned by
   the Jewish talent, they amount to double that sum.  In those
   days, silver and gold were more plentiful than at present; and
   we have many instances of individuals possessing almost
   incredible riches.  Herodotus relates, that when Xerxes went
   into Greece, Pythius the Lydian had 2,000 talents of silver,
   and 4,000,000 of gold darics, which unitedly amount to nearly
   5,500,000£.  Plutarch tells us, that after Crassus had
   dedicated the tenth of all he had to Hercules, he entertained
   the Roman people at 10,000 tables, and distributed to every
   citizen as much corn as was sufficient for three months; and,
   after all these expenses, he had 7,100 Roman talents left,
   which amount to more than 1,500,000£.  Lentulus the augur is
   said to have possessed no less than 3,333,333£. 6s. 8d.
   Apicius was worth more than 916,671£ 13s. 4d.; and, after
   having spent in his kitchen 833,333£ 6s. 8d. he considered the
   remainder too little for his support, and poisoned himself!

 * ten thousand.
 # Mt 18:24
20715
 * took.
 # 8:2,8 Ge 41:42
 * enemy.  or, oppressor.
 # 7:6
20716
 * to do.
 # Ps 73:7 Jer 26:14 40:4 Lu 23:25
20717
 * Then were.
 # 8:9-17
 * scribes.  or, secretaries.  according.
 # 1:22 8:9 9:27
 * in the name.
 # 1Ki 21:8 Da 6:8,12,15
 * sealed.
 # 8:2,8,10
20718
 * by posts.
 # 8:10,14 2Ch 30:6 Job 9:25 Jer 51:31 Ro 3:15
 * both young.
 # 1Sa 15:3 22:19
 * in one day.
 # 8:12-14 Jas 2:13
 * the spoil.
 # 8:11 9:10 Isa 10:6
20719
 * The copy.
 # 8:13,14
20720
 * hastened.
 # Pr 1:16 4:16
 * sat down.
 # Ho 7:5 Am 6:6 Joh 16:20 Re 11:10
 * the city.
 # 4:16 8:15 Pr 29:2
20721
  1  The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews.
  4  Esther, understanding it, sends to Mordecai, who shews the
     cause, and advises her to undertake the suit.
 10  She excusing herself, is threatened by Mordecai.
 15  She appointing a fast, undertakes the suit.

 * all that.
 # 3:8-13
 * rent.
 # 2Sa 1:11 Job 1:20 Jon 3:4-9 Ac 14:14
 * with ashes.
 # 3 Jos 7:6 2Sa 13:19 Job 2:8 42:6 Isa 58:5 Eze 27:30 Da 9:3
 # Jon 3:6 Mt 11:21
 * and cried.
   Mordecai gave every demonstration of the most poignant grief.
   Nor did he hide this from the city; and the Greek says that he
   uttered these words aloud:  [Airetai ethnos meden edikekos,]
   "A people is going to be destroyed who have done no evil."

 # Ge 27:34 Isa 15:4 22:4 Eze 21:6 27:31 Mic 1:8 Zep 1:14
 # Re 18:17-19
20722
 # 2
20723
 * in every province.
 # 1:1 3:12
 * great mourning.
   It cannot reasonably be doubted, that the mournings, fastings,
   and weepings of the Jews were attended by constant prayers and
   supplications; though all mention of them, and of the glorious
   God whom they worshipped, seems to have been studiously
   avoided.

 # 1Sa 4:13,14 11:4 Isa 22:4,12 37:1-3
 * weeping.
 # Mt 13:42 22:13 25:30
 * many lay in sackcloth and ashes.  Heb. sackcloth and ashes
   were laid under many.
 # Isa 58:5 Da 9:3
20724
 * chamberlains.  Heb. eunuchs.
 # 1:12 1Sa 8:15 *marg:
 # 2Ki 9:32 Isa 56:3 Ac 8:27
 * but he received it not.
 # Ge 37:35 Ps 77:2 Jer 31:15
20725
 * appointed to attend upon her.  Heb. set before her.
 # 1:10,12
 * to know.
 # Ro 12:15 1Co 12:26 Php 2:4 Heb 4:15
20726
 * the king said.
 # 3 7:2 9:12
20727
 * all that had.
 # 3:2-15
20728
 * the copy.
 # 3:14,15
 * to charge.
 # 2:20 1Ti 6:13,17
 * to make supplication.
 # Job 9:15 Pr 16:14,15 Ec 10:4 Ac 12:20
 * request.
 # 7:3,4 8:6 Ne 2:3-5 Pr 21:1
20729
 # 9
20730
 # 10
20731
 * shall come.
   Herodotus informs us, that ever since the reign of Deioces,
   king of Media, for the security of the king's person, it was
   enacted that no one should be admitted into his presence; but
   that if any one had business with him, he should transact it
   through the medium of his ministers.

 * the inner court.
 # 5:1
 * one law.
 # Da 2:9
 * the king shall.
 # 5:2 8:4
 * the golden sceptre.
   That the kings of Persia carried a golden sceptre, we have the
   following proof in Xenophon:  [Hoti ou tode to chrysoun
   skeptron to men basileian diasozon estin, all hoi pistoi
   philoi skeptron basileusin alethestaton kai asphalestaton.]
   "It is not (said Cyrus to his son Cambyses) the golden sceptre
   that saves the kingdom; but faithful friends are the truest
   and best sceptre of the kingdom."

 * but I.
 # 1:19 2:14 1Pe 3:7
20732
 # 12
20733
 * Think not.
 # Pr 24:10-12 Mt 16:24,25 Joh 12:25 Php 2:30 Heb 12:3
20734
 * then shall.
 # Ge 22:14 Nu 23:22-24 De 32:26,27,36 1Sa 12:22 Isa 54:17
 # Jer 30:11 33:24-26 46:28 Am 9:8,9 Mt 16:18 24:22
 * enlargement.  Heb. respiration.
 # Ezr 9:9 Job 9:18
 * but thou.
 # 2:7,15 Jud 14:15-18 15:6
 * whether.
 # Ge 45:4-8 Isa 45:1-5 49:23 Ac 7:20-25
 * for such a time.
 # 1Sa 17:29 2Ki 19:3 Ne 6:11
   The fact related in this verse was unquestionably the reason
   why Esther was raised to regal honours, by the overruling
   providence of God:  she was therefore bound in gratitude to do
   this service for God, else she would not have answered the end
   of her elevation:  and she need not fear the miscarriage of
   the enterprise, for if God designed her for it, he would
   surely bear her through and give success.  It appeared by the
   event that Mordecai spoke prophetically, when he modestly
   conjectured that Esther came to the kingdom that she might be
   the instrument of the Jews' deliverance.  Mordecai thoroughly
   believed that it was a cause which one way or other would
   certainly be carried, and which, therefore, she might safely
   venture upon.  Instruments might fail, but God's covenant
   cannot.  There is a wise design in all the providences of God,
   which is unknown to us till it is accomplished; but it will
   prove in the issue that all is intended for and centre in the
   good of those who trust in Him.
20735
 # 15
20736
 * present.  Heb. found.  fast.
 # 2Ch 20:3 Isa 22:12 Joe 1:14,15 2:12-17 Jon 3:4-9
 * eat nor drink.
 # 5:1 Mt 12:40 Ac 9:9 27:33
 * I also.
 # Ge 18:19 Jos 24:15 Ac 10:7
 * if I perish.
   If I lose my life in the attempt to save my people, I shall
   lose it cheerfully.  I see it is my duty to make the attempt;
   and, come what will, I am resolved to do it.

 # Ge 43:14 1Sa 19:5 2Sa 10:12 Lu 9:24 Ac 20:24 21:13 Ro 16:4
 # Php 2:30
20737
 * went.  Heb. passed.
 # 17
20738
  1  Esther, adventuring on the king's favour, obtains the grace
     of the golden sceptre, and invites the king and Haman to a
     banquet.
  6  She, being encouraged by the king in her suit, invites them
     to another banquet the next day.
  9  Haman, proud of his advancement, repines at the contempt of
     Mordecai.
 14  By the counsel of Zeresh he prepares for him a gallows.

 * on the.
 # 4:16 Mt 27:64
 * royal.
 # 1:11 8:15 Mt 10:16 11:8 1Pe 3:3-5
 * inner.
 # 4:11 6:4
 * sat.
 # 1Ki 10:18-20 Lu 22:30 Re 3:21
20739
 * she.
 # Ge 32:28 Ne 1:11 Ps 116:1 Pr 21:1 Ac 7:10 10:4
 * golden sceptre.
 # 4:11 8:4
20740
 * What.
 # 6
 # 7:2 9:12 1Ki 2:20 3:5 Mt 20:20-22 Lu 18:41
 * to.
 # 6 Mr 6:23
20741
 * If it seem.
 # 8 Pr 29:11
 * the banquet.  {Mishteh,} from {shathah,} "to drink," a
   compotation.  feast, or banquet accompanied with drinking;
   the drinking in the East being at the beginning, and not at
   the end of the entertainment.
   Olearius, describing an entertainment at the Persian court,
   says, "The floor of the hall was covered with cotton cloth,
   which was covered with all sorts of fruits and sweetmeats in
   basons of gold.  With them was served up excellent Shiraz
   wine.  After an hour's time, the sweetmeats were removed, to
   make way for the more substantial part of the entertainment,
   such as rice, boiled and roast mutton, etc.  When the company
   had been at table an hour and a half, warm water was brought,
   in a ewer of gold, for washing; and grace being said, they
   began to retire without speaking a word, according to the
   custom of the country."

 # 8 3:15 Ge 27:25 32:20 Ps 112:5 1Co 14:20
20742
 * Cause Haman.
 # 6:14
20743
 * the king said.
 # 3 7:2 9:12
20744
 # 7
20745
 * perform.  Heb. do.  let the king.
   Esther probably wished another interview, that she might
   ingratiate herself more fully into the king's favour, and thus
   secure the success of her design.  But Providence disposed of
   things thus, to give time for the important event mentioned in
   the following chapter.

 * to-morrow.
 # 6:1-13 Pr 16:9
20746
 * joyful.
 # Job 20:5 Am 6:12,13 Lu 6:25 Joh 16:20 Jas 4:9
 * he stood not up.
 # 3:2 Ps 15:4 Mt 10:28
 * he was full.
 # 3:5 1Ki 21:4 Job 31:31 Ps 27:3 Da 3:13,16-19 Mt 2:16 Ac 7:54
20747
 * refrained.
 # Ge 43:30,31 45:1 2Sa 13:22,23 Ec 7:9
 * called for his friends.  Heb. caused his friends to come.
   Zeresh.
 # 6:13
20748
 * the glory.
 # 1:4 Ge 31:1 Job 31:24,25 Ps 49:6,16,17 Isa 10:8 Jer 9:23,24
 # Da 4:30 Mr 10:24 Lu 12:19,20 1Ti 6:17
 * the multitude.
 # 9:7-10,12,13 Job 27:14,15 Ho 9:13,14
 * and how he had.
 # 3:1
20749
 * Yea, Esther.
   Plutarch, in his life of Artaxerxes, informs us, that none but
   the king's mother, and his real wife, were permitted to sit at
   his table; and therefore he mentions it as a condescension in
   that prince, that he sometimes invited his brothers.  Haman,
   therefore, had some reason to be proud of this favour.

 * to-morrow.
 # Job 8:12,13 20:5-8 Ps 37:35,36 Pr 7:22,23 27:1 Lu 21:34,35
 # 1Th 5:3