Esther 4
Overview
4:1 The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews;
4:4 Esther, understanding it, sends to Mordecai, who shews the cause, and advises her to undertake the suit;
4:10 She excusing herself, is threatened by Mordecai;
4:15 She appointing a fast, undertakes the suit. Verse 1 all that Esther 3:8-13 rent 2 Samuel 1:11; Job 1:20; Jonah 3:4-9; Acts 14:14 with ashes Esther 4:3; Joshua 7:6; 2 Samuel 13:19; Job 2:8, 42:6; Isaiah 58:5; Ezekiel 27:30; Daniel 9:3; Jonah 3:6; Matthew 11:21 and criedMordecai 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: Αιρεται εθνος μηδεν ηδικηκος, "A people is going to be destroyed who have done no evil." Genesis 27:34; Isaiah 15:4, 22:4; Ezekiel 21:6, 27:31; Micah 1:8; Zephaniah 1:14; Revelation 18:17-19 Reciprocal Genesis 37:34 - General; 41:14 - he shaved; Exodus 33:4 - and no; 1 Kings 20:31 - put sackcloth; 2 Kings 19:1 - covered; Esther 8:16 - Jews; Job 2:12 - their voice; Psalm 77:2 - my soul; Isaiah 61:3 - beauty; Revelation 11:3 - clothed Verse 2 Reciprocal Genesis 50:4 - Joseph; Luke 7:25 - are in; Revelation 11:3 - clothed Verse 3 in every province Esther 1:1, 3:12 great mourningIt 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. 1 Samuel 4:13, 4:14, 11:4; Isaiah 22:4, 22:12, 37:1-3 weeping Matthew 13:42, 22:13, 25:30 many lay in sackcloth and ashesHeb. sackcloth and ashes were laid under many, Isaiah 58:5; Daniel 9:3 Reciprocal Nehemiah 9:1 - children; Esther 4:1 - with ashes; 4:6 - the king's; 9:31 - the fastings Verse 4 chamberlainsHeb. eunuchs, Esther 1:12; 1 Samuel 8:15 *marg. 2 Kings 9:32; Isaiah 56:3; Acts 8:27 but he received it not Genesis 37:35; Psalm 77:2; Jeremiah 31:15 Reciprocal 2 Kings 25:29 - changed; Proverbs 31:26 - openeth Verse 5 appointed to attend upon herHeb. set before her, Esther 1:10, 1:12 to know Romans 12:15; 1 Corinthians 12:26; Philippians 2:4; Habakkuk 3:1 Reciprocal 1 Kings 21:5 - Why is thy spirit; Malachi 3:16 - spake Verse 6 the king's Esther 4:3, 7:2, 9:12 Reciprocal Proverbs 26:1 - so Verse 7 all that had Esther 3:2-15 Reciprocal 7:4 - we are sold; Proverbs 12:6 - the mouth Verse 8 the copy Esther 3:14, 3:15 to charge 2:20; 1 Timothy 6:13, 6:17 to make supplication Job 9:15; Proverbs 16:14, 16:15; Ecclesiastes 10:4; Acts 12:20 request Esther 7:3, 7:4, 8:6; Nehemiah 2:3-5; Proverbs 21:1 Reciprocal Jeremiah 38:26 - General; Ephesians 6:18 - supplication Verse 9 Reciprocal Proverbs 26:1 - so Verse 11 shall comeHerodotus 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 Esther 5:1 one law Daniel 2:9 the king shall Esther 5:2, 8:4 the golden sceptreThat the kings of Persia carried a golden sceptre, we have the following proof in Xenophon: Οτι ου τοδε το χρυσουν σκηπτρον το μην βασιλειαν διασωζον εστιν, αλλ οι πιστοι φιλοι σκηπτρον βασιλευσιν αληθεστατον και ασφαλεστατον. "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; 1 Peter 3:7 Reciprocal Genesis 18:30 - General; 1 Chronicles 21:13 - I am in; Nehemiah 2:20 - memorial; Esther 6:4 - the outward; Job 31:34 - that I; Mark 8:35 - will save Verse 13 Think not Proverbs 24:10-12; Matthew 16:24, 16:25; John 12:25; Philippians 2:30; Habakkuk 3:1 Reciprocal Esther 2:10 - had not showed; Proverbs 31:8 - Open; Ecclesiastes 3:7 - and a time to speak Verse 14 then shall Genesis 22:14; Numbers 23:22-24; Deuteronomy 32:26, 32:27, 32:36; 1 Samuel 12:22; Isaiah 54:17; Jeremiah 30:11, 33:24-26, 46:28; Amos 9:8, 9:9; Matthew 16:18, 24:22 enlargementHeb. respiration, Ezra 9:9; Job 9:18 but thou Esther 2:7, 2:15; Judges 14:15-18, 15:6 whether Genesis 45:4-8; Isaiah 45:1-5, 49:23; Acts 7:20-25 for such a time 1 Samuel 17:29; 2 Kings 19:3; Nehemiah 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.Reciprocal 2 Samuel 5:12 - his people; 1 Chronicles 14:2 - because; Esther 2:10 - had not showed; 2:17 - so that he set; Job 31:34 - that I; Proverbs 17:17 - General; Ecclesiastes 3:7 - and a time to speak; Isaiah 22:23 - a glorious; Jeremiah 26:16 - General; Habakkuk 1:13 - holdest; Matthew 16:25 - General; Romans 9:17 - I raised Verse 15 Reciprocal Daniel 2:18 - they would Verse 16 presentHeb. foundfast 2 Chronicles 20:3; Isaiah 22:12; Joel 1:14, 1:15, 2:12-17; Jonah 3:4-9 eat nor drink Esther 5:1; Matthew 12:40; Acts 9:9, 27:33 I also Genesis 18:19; Joshua 24:15; Acts 10:7 if I perishIf 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. Genesis 43:14; 1 Samuel 19:5; 2 Samuel 10:12; Luke 9:24; Acts 20:24, 21:13; Romans 16:4; Philippians 2:30 Reciprocal Genesis 43:11 - If it must be; Judges 5:18 - their lives; 9:17 - adventured his life; 1 Samuel 30:12 - three days; 2 Samuel 1:2 - the third; 12:16 - fasted; 1 Kings 20:31 - peradventure; 2 Kings 7:4 - if they save us; 1 Chronicles 21:13 - I am in; 2 Chronicles 31:1 - present; Ezra 8:23 - we fasted; Nehemiah 9:1 - children; Esther 1:2 - Shushan; 3:15 - the city; 8:16 - Jews; 9:31 - the fastings; Proverbs 29:26 - ruler's favour; Isaiah 58:5 - it such; Jeremiah 36:9 - they; Daniel 9:3 - with; Jonah 1:6 - if; Zephaniah 2:1 - gather together; Matthew 6:16 - when; 16:25 - General; Luke 4:2 - he did; 1 Peter 4:19 - in Verse 17 wentHeb. passed, Esther 4:17