Introduction
Overview
Esther 4 . 1 , The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews; Esther 4 . 4 , Esther , understanding it , sends to Mordecai , who shews the cause , and advises her to undertake the suit; Esther 4 . 10 , She excusing herself , is threatened by Mordecai; Esther 4 . 15 , She appointing a fast , undertakes the suit.
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 , Job 42 . 6 , Isaiah 58 . 5 , Ezekiel 27 . 30 , Daniel 9 . 3 , Jonah 3 . 6 , Matthew 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 . יסופבי וטםןע לחהום חהיךחךןע , "A people is going to be destroyed who have done no evil." Genesis 27 . 34 , Isaiah 15 . 4 , Isaiah 22 . 4 , Ezekiel 21 . 6 , Ezekiel 27 . 31 , Micah 1 . 8 , Zephaniah 1 . 14 , Revelation 18 . 17-19
Reciprocal . Genesis 37 . 34 . General Genesis 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
Reciprocal . Genesis 50 . 4 . Joseph Luke 7 . 25 . are in Revelation 11 . 3 . clothed
in every province . Esther 1 . 1 , Esther 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. 1 Samuel 4 . 13 , 1 Samuel 4 . 14 , 1 Samuel 11 . 4 , Isaiah 22 . 4 , Isaiah 22 . 12 , Isaiah 37 . 1-3
weeping . Matthew 13 . 42 , Matthew 22 . 13 , Matthew 25 . 30
many lay in sackcloth and ashes . Heb. sackcloth and ashes were laid under many , Isaiah 58 . 5 , Daniel 9 . 3
Reciprocal . Nehemiah 9 . 1 . children Esther 4 . 1 . with ashes Esther 4 . 6 . the king's Esther 9 . 31 . the fastings
chamberlains . Heb. 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
appointed to attend upon her . Heb. set before her , Esther 1 . 10 , Esther 1 . 12
to know . Romans 12 . 15 , 1 Corinthians 12 . 26 , Philippians 2 . 4 , Hebrews 4 . 15
Reciprocal . 1 Kings 21 . 5 . Why is thy spirit Malachi 3 . 16 . spake
the king's . Esther 4 . 3 , Esther 7 . 2 , Esther 9 . 12
Reciprocal . Proverbs 26 . 1 . so
all that had . Esther 3 . 2-15
Reciprocal . Esther 7 . 4 . we are sold Proverbs 12 . 6 . the mouth
the copy . Esther 3 . 14 , Esther 3 . 15
to charge . Esther 2 . 20 , 1 Timothy 6 . 13 , 1 Timothy 6 . 17
to make supplication . Job 9 . 15 , Proverbs 16 . 14 , Proverbs 16 . 15 , Ecclesiastes 10 . 4 , Acts 12 . 20
request . Esther 7 . 3 , Esther 7 . 4 , Esther 8 . 6 , Nehemiah 2 . 3-5 , Proverbs 21 . 1
Reciprocal . Jeremiah 38 . 26 . General Ephesians 6 . 18 . supplication
Reciprocal . Proverbs 26 . 1 . so
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 . Esther 5 . 1
one law . Daniel 2 . 9
the king shall . Esther 5 . 2 , Esther 8 . 4
the golden sceptre . That the kings of Persia carried a golden sceptre , we have the following proof in Xenophon . פי ןץ פןהו פן קסץףןץם ףךחנפסןם פן לחם גבףיכויבם היבףשזןם וףפים , בככ ןי ניףפןי ציכןי ףךחנפסןם גבףיכוץףים בכחטוףפבפןם ךבי בףצבכוףפבפןם. "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 . Esther 1 . 19 , Esther 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
Think not . Proverbs 24 . 10-12 , Matthew 16 . 24 , Matthew 16 . 25 , John 12 . 25 , Philippians 2 . 30 , Hebrews 12 . 3
Reciprocal . Esther 2 . 10 . had not showed Proverbs 31 . 8 . Open Ecclesiastes 3 . 7 . and a time to speak
then shall . Genesis 22 . 14 , Numbers 23 . 22-24 , Deuteronomy 32 . 26 , Deuteronomy 32 . 27 , Deuteronomy 32 . 36 , 1 Samuel 12 . 22 , Isaiah 54 . 17 , Jeremiah 30 . 11 , Jeremiah 33 . 24-26 , Jeremiah 46 . 28 , Amos 9 . 8 , Amos 9 . 9 , Matthew 16 . 18 , Matthew 24 . 22
enlargement . Heb. respiration , Ezra 9 . 9 , Job 9 . 18
but thou . Esther 2 . 7 , Esther 2 . 15 , Judges 14 . 15-18 , Judges 15 . 6
whether . Genesis 45 . 4-8 , Isaiah 45 . 1-5 , Isaiah 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 Esther 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
Reciprocal . Daniel 2 . 18 . they would
present . Heb. found
fast . 2 Chronicles 20 . 3 , Isaiah 22 . 12 , Joel 1 . 14 , Joel 1 . 15 , Joel 2 . 12-17 , Jonah 3 . 4-9
eat nor drink . Esther 5 . 1 , Matthew 12 . 40 , Acts 9 . 9 , Acts 27 . 33
I also . Genesis 18 . 19 , Joshua 24 . 15 , Acts 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. Genesis 43 . 14 , 1 Samuel 19 . 5 , 2 Samuel 10 . 12 , Luke 9 . 24 , Acts 20 . 24 , Acts 21 . 13 , Romans 16 . 4 , Philippians 2 . 30
Reciprocal . Genesis 43 . 11 . If it must be Judges 5 . 18 . their lives Judges 9 . 17 . adventured his life 1 Samuel 30 . 12 . three days 2 Samuel 1 . 2 . the third 2 Samuel 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 Esther 3 . 15 . the city Esther 8 . 16 . Jews Esther 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 Matthew 16 . 25 . General Luke 4 . 2 . he did 1 Peter 4 . 19 . in
went . Heb. passed , Esther 4 . 17