"The children of this world are wiser," because more diligent, "in their generation than the children of light." Honour is well bestowed on those that do not think themselves above their business. I. Hitherto Mordecai has been depressed, and Haman has been exalted. There will be "no more fatigue, no more distress," no more exhaustion; and therefore "there will be no night there," and no sleep, but ceaseless, tireless, unexausting energy; there they serve him "day without night." How TO SPEND SLEEPLESS HOURS BECOMES AN IMPORTANT QUESTION TO MANY. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, "If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish origin, you will not overcome him, but will surely fall before him. From this his friends read him his doom, which is executed in the next chapter, Esther 6:12-14. And this night's vigil prompted him to a day's justice. His duty was in the king's gate. HE IS SENSIBLE THAT HIS PRESERVER DESERVED "HONOUR AND DIGNITY." to the stake, in the days of the Marian persecution. III. The Septuagint adds, ' , for the living God is with him. . ", To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Nor could there be a better time for looking back at what is gone and done than in the still solemnity of the night watches. They saw in Hamans humiliation before Mordecai, the powerful honored Jew, an omen of even worse defeat to come. Esther 6:6 - Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary - StudyLight.org Haman thought that the honour given him by the queen showed that she, as well as the king, was pleased with him and agreed with his anti-Jewish policy. The Persian name would be best represented by the fullest form of the three. Miserable comforters are they all; they did not advise Haman to repent, but foretold his fate as unavoidable. Gratitude is a duty and a virtue. But shalt surely fall before him This they concluded, either, 1st, By rules of policy, because Hamans reputation and interest were sinking, and Mordecai, whom they understood to be a man of great wisdom and courage, had now got into the kings favour, and therefore was likely to gain an opportunity of moving him to a dislike, if not revocation, of his own bloody decree, and consequently to a detestation of that person who had procured it. - The book of records of the chronicles. History affords many instances of the power of omens to destroy the happiness and hope of bad men. It is a keen incisive thrust into an individual character. He soon found that the great service of Mordecai had been unacknowledged. There are many disappointments and reverses which attract our entire sympathy, but we can only rejoice when the expectation of the wicked is cut short. Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth in the king's gate. Believing that being read to will help him sleep, he has a book of chronicles brought in and read to him by a servant. His doom was, out of this event, read to him by his wife and his friends. Having his head covered. He thought it seasonable, in hopes it would revive his drooping spirits and save his sinking honour. IV. The beneficent nature of the results of that nightopportune, to the exact moment of timeand the exceeding greatness of them evidence together a merciful wakeful Providence. oh, pity the wretches who weep,For they must be wretched who cannot sleepWhen God himself draws the curtain.". Sometimes we cannot sleep because we fain would sleep. He commanded to bring the book of records His mind being . Bigthana. Purpose and determination do not die away. Magians, perhaps, whom he was in the habit of consulting concerning the future. Yet from a merely human point of view it was all but certain. The king will have no more delay in a matter which has been delayed far too long. The king said, Who is in the court? To be the dispenser of dignities and rewards is to sit upon a throne very near royalty itself. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. Few of the children of men are more worthy of our admiring affection than those self-denying sisters who watch so patiently lest there should be need of the ministering hand or the comforting word. That night the king could not sleep. Or perhaps they only formed their judgment from the omen, in Haman having been obliged to pay such honours himself to one of that nation which he had purposed, and even got the kings edict, entirely to destroy. Then the king said to Haman, Hurry, take the robe and the horse, as you have suggested, and do so for Mordecai the Jew who sits within the kings gate! But it is a sleek, a smiling, a self-garlanded victim we have here. The servants looked into the court, and seeing, somewhat to their surprise, Haman there, mentioned him to the king. This is a custom not elsewhere mentioned as Persian, but quite in accordance with Oriental ideas. Happy the man who has the will to obey at once every clear sense of duty. It shall be done!" Then said his wise men The magicians, whom, after the Persian manner, he had called together, to consult upon this strange emergency. And it was found written: This was a remarkable example of providence in action. This morning that enemy is in favour; his own position is imperilled; his vaunting seems vain; his prospects gloomy. Whether it be pain, or trouble, or sorrow that causes the sleepless hours, we may pity sincerely and pray earnestly for these. His wise men. THE SLEEPLESS WHOM WE MUCH WISH TO SERVE. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. The royal command cannot be disputed or evaded, and so Mordecai is escorted through the city by his enemy, who had expected about that very time to be superintending his impalement (verse 11). But now not so with the. 2. i. Esther wasnt lucky to be queen; Mordecai wasnt lucky to have heard of the assassination plot; it wasnt luck or chance that made Haman enter the royal courts at this time with this heart. So Haman took the robe and the horse, arrayed Mordecai and led him on horseback through the city square: The ultimate humiliation was for Haman to honor Mordecai in such a public way; humiliation is only really humiliation when it is public. With this evil presage ringing in his ears, Haman quitted his house, and accompanied the palace eunuchs who had been sent to conduct him to Esther's second banquet. This verse introduces the second part of the narrative. The book could be opened to any page, but it was opened to the exact page telling the story of Mordecai and how he saved the king from assassination. Numbers 23:9; Numbers 23:21; Numbers 23:23; Numbers 24:9; Numbers 24:17; Numbers 24:19; Joshua 2:9-13). He who "holds the king's heart in his hand," who can touch with the finger of his power the secret springs of our thought and feeling, now sent troubled thoughts to this Persian king. Artax.,' 5); but the king might allow it (Herod; 7.17) or condone it (Plut; 1. s.c.). He had been made an instrument in another man's honour, and had suffered a disappointment; but otherwise he was situated as on the day preceding, when he "went forth" from the palace "joyful and with a glad heart" (Esther 5:9). This honouring of God may be either, (1) that which he causes men to give us, or, This latter is the better of the two, for it. Bible Text Commentaries by David Guzik - Blue Letter Bible A man of evil does not easily suspect good feeling or good purpose in any associate. Esther 6 - Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible - Bible In every such case it behoves us to be more than ever careful "not to judge, lest we be judged," and to scrutinise narrowly the authority on which they speak when others pronounce judgment in our heating. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. a. III. The king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? II. The attempt to deliver Israel was prospering. But the tide has now turned. The king orders him to give Mordecai those honors; which he performs, to his extreme mortification, Esther 6:10, Esther 6:11. It is to be remarked, and with the seriousness that belongs to a moral phenomenon and fact in our life, with what unerring certainty, with what unpitying pace, the moment travels on which shall prove the fatal, because unguarded, moment for those who knowingly and continuously "regard iniquity in their heart." Directly he could escape from his hateful duty he hastened home and told his wife. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. The "wise men" profess to regard it as uncertain, perhaps to give their words a more oracular character. ", III. When the king commanded Haman to do unto Mordecai every whit of what he had recommended, the blow that fell on the astonished favourite must have been heavy. "Them that honour me I will honour," he says. But there will be sleeplessness of another kind, for there will be no more need of long periods of unconsciousness and inactivity there. 3. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. Both had to acknowledge distinguishing mercies which the preceding day bad brought. Little did Ahasuerus, as he tossed his restless head on the pillow, imagine that a Divine hand was laid on his troubled brain. III. 2 And it was found written that Mordecai had told of [ b]Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus . Esther was affirmed by the church councils of Hippo (AD 393) and Carthage (AD 397), and at this point the Christian church considered the canon of the whole Bible to be established. How much Haman was cast down with his disappointment. How could he have committed to such a subject an authority so dangerously approaching his own? Thou shalt surely fall. And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay . How his doom was, out of this event, read to him by his wife and his friends: "If Mordecai be, as they say he is, of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, though but in a point of honour, never expect to prevail against him; for thou shalt surely fall before him," Esther 6:13; Esther 6:13. How strange the contrast to the Haman who the morning of that day "thought in his heart," etc.B. 2. Some are hurried on by selfishness headlong. Hasted to bring Haman There was a dreadful banquet before him, of which he knew nothing: and he could have little appetite to enjoy that which he knew was prepared at the palace of Esther. I. Esther 6:6 Commentaries: So Haman came in and the king said to him If Mordecai . Rather, "and that hath a crown royal set on his head." But they produce a brilliant effect. Five years had passed, and Mordecai had found his reward in his own sense of doing his duty, and in the approval of the God be served. Rather, "thou shalt utterly fall.". Hamans humiliation and defeat (5:1-7:10). How exquisitely beautiful the reverse of this. Concerning the honour that comes from man, we learn here. 12 And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. Either because the king could not read himself, or because the sound of a man's voice might (it was thought) induce drowsiness. And the crown royal which is set upon his head. God willed that the sovereign should not slumber in order that he might thus be led to have "the book of records of the chronicles brought and read before the king," and Mordecai's services be thus brought to his royal notice. As Mordecai came to take his place in the palace, at the door of which he had sat, and to wield power over the empire, so those whom the heavenly King delighteth to honour shall enter his presence, share his joy, and sit with his Son upon the throne of dominion. To wear a dress previously worn by the king was, under ordinary circumstances, a breach of Persian law (Plut; 'Vit. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Those who, (1) tenderly nurse the sick through the livelong night, or, (2) sympathetically attend the sorrowful in their sleepless hours, or. ESTHER 6 COMMENTARY (PULPIT) - King James Bible Online AN AROUSED CONSCIENCE REPROACHES FOR FORGETFULNESS AND INGRATITUDE. By instinct and inspiration to their minds, either from God, who might suggest this to them, as he did other things to other wicked men, Balaam, Caiaphas, &c., for his own greater glory, and the good of his people; or from the devil, who, by Gods permission, might know this, and reveal it to them, who sought to him in their superstitious and idolatrous methods. "Return on thy way" at once. a. Haman had recourse to his wife, the wise men, and his friends, only yesterday; and they advised that a gallows should be reared, and that the king should be petitioned that Mordecai might there be hanged. b. 4. That Haman would be disappointed in his enterprise against the Jews: "Thou shalt not prevail to root out that people. (1-3) A sleepless night. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. THE SLEEPLESS WHOM WE ARE OBLIGED TO BLAME. Zaccheus (Luke 19:8). I. TO WHAT THIS "THOUGHT IN THE HEART" LED. Let us remember that "man's extremity is God's opportunity.". They last, and they lead on to action. III. . "Forget not all his benefits." His friends evidently realized that unseen forces were maintaining the blessing that they had observed following the Jews (cf. HE IS SURPRISED AT HIMSELF UPON LEARNING THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE FOR HIM. She was a candid friend and a true prophet. Thus God encourages those who trust him. studies) contains commentary on Esther (along with the Pentateuch, Lamentations, Songs and Ruth). It is tOO customary for the great to take all services as a matter of course. Esther 6:13 Commentaries: Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. That Mordecai should displace Haman in royal favour seemed, after the events of the day, probable enough. He will save himself and others from much suffering. Bad counsellors are poor comforters. Judgment pursues the evil-doer. Commentary on Esther 6 by Matthew Henry - Blue Letter Bible , Esther 6:7, precedes absolutely, and the predicate does not follow till , Esther 6:9, where the preceding subject is now by an anacoluthon taken up in the accusative (). These files are public domain. His whole life is a mistakean error from beginning to end. As Haman goes to his house, after executing the king's behest, his heart is filled with apprehensions. The character of the book has been already explained (see comment on Esther 2:23). From this point pride is to fall, and humility is to be raised. Whose honour would the king delight to promote if not that of the man on whom he had already bestowed such unusual distinction? . It is not straining facts to take this view of them, it would be restraining their legitimate force not to do so. RECORDS PROVE SERVICEABLE TO KINGS AND TO KINGDOMS. It is difficult to understand how this could any longer be regarded as doubtful. Enduring Word Bible Commentary Esther Chapter 6 How blessed to be able to subordinate all merely personal or earthly things to the service of God. Reluctantly, without a word, he performed the king's bidding. THE VANITY OF RECKONING ON THE HONOUR OF THE GREAT (Esther 6:6, Esther 6:10, Esther 6:13). We do well to pity with heartfelt compassion those who tell us that they ': cannot sleep at night." Certainly, a man's riding on a horse with a royal crown on his head was a very powerful symbol of royal authority. Why then should he grudge to do it himself? The honour he suggested would have been foolish and worthless as given to any other person than himself. Haman anticipates his doom (Esther 6:12). But he seems to have had a presentiment of impending calamity. Heaven plainly fights against thee." Likely enough, then, the solemn hours of that night were counted by them with wakeful anxiousness. Providence is at work, and the clouds are opening. b. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. ( Esther 6:6 ). Afterward Mordecai went back to the kings gate. The dark and imperfect religiousness, which was all that can be claimed for it in and of itself, does in some senses add to its interest. So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther. I. In reality it is a work in which nature, or rather Providence, is signally conspicuous. Esther 6 - Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible - StudyLight.org Four moments meet, and their work is the work of years of preparation, and of consequences never to be forgotten. Was it not what he himself proposed to be done by one of the king's most noble princes? I. II. On that night could not the king sleep How vain are all the contrivances of foolish man against the wise and omnipotent God, who hath the hearts and hands of kings and all men perfectly at his disposal, and can by such trivial accidents (as they are accounted) change their minds, and produce such terrible effects. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. The events mentioned in Esther therefore happened . And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. Let us live "in Christ;" then shall we "fall asleep in him," and then shall we awake in the morning of an everlasting day where the shadows never fall, a land full of light because full of the near presence and the glory of the Lord.C. What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this? IV. His predecessor was King Darius (522-485 BC) who is mentioned in Ezra 4:5. II. The day of their downfall and defeat is near at hand. Esther 6:13 - Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes ZERESH. The king had heard enough; he condemned Haman to immediate death (3-10). And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. So Haman came in, and the king asked him, What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor? Now Haman thought in his heart, Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?. He did not want to be late. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Providence is at work, and the clouds are opening. You know, this doesn't look good. I. HASTE. Esther 4:1-2) as a sign of his grief (cf. How different his tale now from that which had inspired him and them the night before. It is lawful in God's sight to enter upon and enjoy the fruits of our own exertions; "the labourer is worthy of his hire." It is of the nature of a stricture, and a severe one. Doubtless the minister thought he was preparing honour for himself when he was really unconsciously arranging a triumph for the man whom he hated, and whose death he was compassing. It does not seem that Ahasuerus had any intention at this time to humiliate Haman. You can check these in your browser security settings. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. Then his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, "If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him." Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth in the king's gate. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. Well does one of our own poets write, "Pity! To wait upon any man, especially Mordecai, and at this time, when he hoped to have seen him hanged, was enough to break such a proud heart as he had. Those who cannot sleep because of "great searchings of heart;" who are asking that old new question, "How shall mortal man be just with God?" The means employed are like those of Divine operation, very simple, awhile mistakable for most natural events. Everybody was not in the secret. The rest were accurately timed to it. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, "Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against himyou will surely come to ruin!". See the last words of Esther 2:1-23. THE GOOD FORTUNE OF MORDECAI, CONTRASTING WITH HAMAN'S ILL FORTUNE. How greedy is vanity. Observe every particular of honour that you have mentioned; let there be no omission of one jot or tittle. It is better to come before him in lowliness and contrition now than to appear before him in shame hereafter. We may notice. Esther 6 - Dr. Constable's Expository Notes - Bible Commentaries PDF ESTHER How to Navigate this eBook: Introduction - Bible Commentaries It is the women who "watch" the best. 1. To-day Haman comes to the same circle of his intimates, tells what has befallen, and unfolds his fears. https://www.studylight.org . Hurry, take the robe and the horse, as you have suggested, and do so for Mordecai the Jew: It would have been something to see the face of Haman at that moment; to see that the king took his advice completely, but gave the honor to his arch-enemy the man that Haman came to ask to be executed. The king, while still in bed, in the early morning, bestirred himself without a moment's delay to discharge his neglected duty. b. He might well have used the language of Job"Miserable comforters are ye all!" The place of this verse fully vindicated by its contents. You'd better get going." THE WISDOM OF SEEKING THE HONOUR THAT IS OF GOD (Esther 6:3). The events of the book of Esther occurred during the reign of King Ahasuerus, Xerxes I. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, "If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish origin, you will not overcome him, but will surely fall before him." New American Standard Version Mordecai's nationality and his employment were probably mentioned in the book of the chronicles. Esther 6:1. Miserable comforters were they all; they did not advise him to repent, and ask Mordecai's pardon for his bad design against him, but foretold his destiny as fatal and unavoidable. (2.) For if the judgment of what is in the depth of another's heart be not absolutely true, it is essentially unjust and uncharitable. Two things they foresaw:-- 1. And Haman headed for home. But that night was memorable, for that night's sleeplessness was the occasion of the salvation of Mordecai, and perhaps of Israel. Yesterday Haman was full of exultation and of boasting; his place was by the throne; his enemy was at his feet. ON WHAT AUTHORITY THIS DESCRIPTION RESTS. He craves to see a Divine presence, and to hear the accents of a Diviner voice than have been hitherto vouchsafed. There is something dramatic in this remarkable story. How many lose themselves by putting off decision for Christ (Psalms 90:12; 2 Corinthians 6:2).D. I. 2. She willingly did what could have been a deadly . Esther 6:13 - Bible Verse Meaning and Commentary - Bible Study Tools 1. The king's question. There was as yet no real reason for Haman to feel depressed, or to regard himself as having lost favour with the king. Or, 3. V. CHRISTIANS SHALL BE BROUGHT, SHARING THE NATURE OF GOD, TO SHARE ALSO HIS ETERNAL HOME. The question put by the king to Haman at once led him astray. He said, "You can't believe what's happened to me." 6 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. Verse 1 [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. That night the king could not sleep. He could not bear it. As for God his work is perfect. "Read to me the history books." If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. So Mordecai had the king's robe put on him, the king's crown, and he went through the streets in the chariot as they cried out, "Behold the man whom the king delights to honor." It is not every statesman who, like Lord Burleigh, can take off his gown and say, Lie there, Lord Treasurer; or who, like Lord Liverpool, can draw off the cares of a kingdom with his stockings. Verse 1. How the night passed for Esther and for Mordecai we know not. Rather, "a horse that the king hath ridden." Esther 6:6); Ahasuerus knew it (supra, Esther 6:10). . Then the king said, What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this? And the kings servants who attended him said, Nothing has been done for him.. VIII. He projects himself into his judgment of others. God guided every step along the way. Perhaps these are still withheld in their fullest manifestation, but it can no longer be felt that any vital element of evidence is absent. I. HAMAN HAD TO INVOLVE HIS WIFE IN HIS OVERTHROW, AND RIGHTLY LETS HER KNOW ALL THAT BEFALLS HIM. It is easy to see Gods management of all things when we see good things happen. As little do we know when the finger of God is working on us, with us, for us, or mercifully against us. Verse Esther 6:6. Esther 6:12,13 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory - Bblia Plus He was in the court of the palace while the king was yet having the chronicles read to him, resolved to seize the first moment to get permission to hang the Jew. He may have enjoyed it; it was in accordance with Eastern tastes and habits, and he had fairly earned it. In the end all his hopes will be disappointed. However harassing it may have been, it seems to have been endured till morning. How plaintive the honest and deeply-felt disowning, of it: "Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. DESPONDENCY OF HIMSELF AND HIS FRIENDS (Esther 6:12-14). The occasion, therefore, was one which especially begged for a single eye, a clear judgment, transparency of motive. The proximate effect, for all that, nevertheless looks in that direction. Make haste. Matthew Henry :: Commentary on Esther 6 Chapter 6 It is a very surprising scene that opens in this chapter. Was he ever the worse for it? The king had rewarded a worthless favourite with wealth and power; but, as he now learned, a man who had preserved his life had been passed over unnoticed and unrewarded. The grace and the force of his honoured position weigh nothing with him. Make haste. AHASUERUS, BEING WAKEFUL DURING THE NIGHT, HAS THE BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES READ TO HIM, AND FINDS THAT MORDECAI HAS RECEIVED NO REWARD. (4-11) Haman's friends tell him of his danger. The contest between Michael and the dragon will not be a drawn battle; no, Haman must fall before Mordecai.
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