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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>E S T H E R</B></FONT>
<BR>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. III.</FONT>
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<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
A very black and mournful scene here opens, and which threatens the
ruin of all the people of God. Were there not some such dark nights,
the light of the morning would not be so welcome.
I. Haman is made the king's favourite,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:1">ver. 1</A>.
II. Mordecai refuses to give him the honour he demands,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:2-4">ver. 2-4</A>.
III. Haman, for his sake, vows to be revenged upon all the Jews,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:5,6">ver. 5, 6</A>.
IV. He, upon a malicious suggestion, obtains an order from the king to
have the all massacred upon a certain day,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:7-13">ver. 7-13</A>.
V. This order is dispersed through the kingdom,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:14,15">ver. 14, 15</A>.</P>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Haman's Malignant Proposal.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 510.</TD></TR>
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<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son
of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat
above all the princes that <I>were</I> with him.
&nbsp; 2 And all the king's servants, that <I>were</I> in the king's gate,
bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded
concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did <I>him</I> reverence.
&nbsp; 3 Then the king's servants, which <I>were</I> in the king's gate,
said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's
commandment?
&nbsp; 4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he
hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether
Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he
<I>was</I> a Jew.
&nbsp; 5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him
reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
&nbsp; 6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they
had showed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to
destroy all the Jews that <I>were</I> throughout the whole kingdom of
Ahasuerus, <I>even</I> the people of Mordecai.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Here we have,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. Haman advanced by the prince, and adored thereupon by the people.
Ahasuerus had lately laid Esther in his bosom, but she had no such
interest in him as to get her friends preferred, or to prevent the
preferring of one who she knew was an enemy to her people. When those
that are good become great they still find that they cannot do good,
nor prevent mischief, as they would. This Haman was an Agagite (an
Amalekite, says Josephus), probably of the descendants of Agag, a
common name of the princes of Amalek, as appears,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+24:7">Num. xxiv. 7</A>.
Some think that he was by birth a prince, as Jehoiakim was, whose seat
was set above the rest of the captive kings
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+25:28">2 Kings xxv. 28</A>),
as Haman's here was,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
The king took a fancy to him (princes are not bound to give reasons for
their favours), made him his favourite, his confidant, his
prime-minister of state. Such a commanding influence the court then had
that (contrary to the proverb) those whom it blessed the country
blessed too; for all men adored this rising sun, and the king's
servants were particularly commanded <I>to bow before him and to do him
reverence</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
and they did so. I wonder what the king saw in Haman that was
commendable or meritorious; it is plain that he was not a man of honour
or justice, of any true courage or steady conduct, but proud, and
passionate, and revengeful; yet was he promoted, and caressed, and
there was none so great as he. Princes' darlings are not always
worthies.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. Mordecai adhering to his principles with a bold and daring
resolution, and therefore refusing to reverence Haman as the rest of
the king's servants did,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
He was urged to it by his friends, who reminded him of the king's
commandment, and consequently of the danger he incurred if he refused
to comply with it; it was as much as his life was worth, especially
considering Haman's insolence,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
They <I>spoke daily to him</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
to persuade him to conform, but all in vain: he hearkened not to them,
but told them plainly that he was a Jew, and could not in conscience do
it. Doubtless his refusal, when it came to be taken notice of and made
the subject of discourse, was commonly attributed to pride and envy,
that he would not pay respect to Haman because, on the score of his
alliance to Esther, he was not himself as much promoted, or to a
factious seditious spirit and a disaffection to the king and his
government; those that would make the best of it looked upon it as his
weakness, or his want of breeding, called it a humour, and a piece of
affected singularity. It does not appear that any one scrupled at
conforming to it except Mordecai; and yet his refusal was pious,
conscientious, and pleasing to God, for the religion of a Jew forbade
him,
1. To give such extravagant honours as were required to any mortal man,
especially so wicked a man as Haman was. In the apocryphal chapters of
this book
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+13:12-14"><I>ch.</I> xiii. 12-14</A>)
Mordecai is brought in thus appealing to God in this matter: <I>Thou
knowest, Lord, that it was neither in contempt nor pride, nor for any
desire of glory, that I did not bow down to proud Haman, for I could
have been content with good will, for the salvation of Israel, to kiss
the soles of his feet; but I did this that I might not prefer the glory
of man above the glory of God, neither will I worship any but thee.</I>
2. He especially thought it a piece of injustice to his nation to give
such honour to an Amalekite, one of that devoted nation with which God
had sworn that he would have perpetual war
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+17:16">Exod. xvii. 16</A>)
and concerning which he had given that solemn charge
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+25:17">Deut. xxv. 17</A>),
<I>Remember what Amalek did.</I> Though religion does by no means
destroy good manners, but teaches us to render <I>honour to whom
honour</I> is due, yet it is the character of a citizen of Zion that
not only in his heart, but <I>in his eyes,</I> such a <I>vile person as
Haman was is contemned,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+15:4">Ps. xv. 4</A>.
Let those who are governed by principles of conscience be steady and
resolute, however censured or threatened, as Mordecai was.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. Haman meditating revenge. Some that hoped thereby to curry favour
with Haman took notice to him of Mordecai's rudeness, waiting to see
whether he would bend or break,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
Haman then observed it himself, and was <I>full of wrath,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
A meek and humble man would have slighted the affront, and have said,
"Let him have his humour; what am I the worse for it?" But it makes
Haman's proud spirit rage, and fret, and boil, within him, so that he
becomes uneasy to himself and all about him. It is soon resolved that
Mordecai must die. The head must come off that will not bow to Haman;
if he cannot have his honours, he will have his blood. It is as penal
in this court not to worship Haman as it was in Nebuchadnezzar's not to
worship the golden image which he had set up. Mordecai is a person of
quality, in a post of honour, and own cousin to the queen; and yet
Haman thinks his life nothing towards a satisfaction for the affront:
thousands of innocent and valuable lives must be sacrificed to his
indignation; and therefore he vows the destruction of all the people of
Mordecai, for his sake, because his being a Jew was the reason he gave
why he did not reverence Haman. Herein appear Haman's intolerable
pride, insatiable cruelty, and the ancient antipathy of an Amalekite to
the Israel of God. Saul the son of Kish, a Benjamite, spared Agag, but
Mordecai the son of Kish, a Benjamite
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+2:5"><I>ch.</I> ii. 5</A>),
shall find no mercy with this Agagite, whose design is to <I>destroy
all the Jews throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
which, I suppose, would include those that had returned to their own
land, for that was now a province of his kingdom. <I>Come and let us
cut them off from being a nation,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+83:4">Ps. lxxxiii. 4</A>.
Nero's barbarous wish is his, that they had all but one neck.</P>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Haman Obtains Leave to Slay the Jews.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 510.</TD></TR>
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<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>7 In the first month, that <I>is,</I> the month Nisan, in the
twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that <I>is,</I> the
lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, <I>to</I>
the twelfth <I>month,</I> that <I>is,</I> the month Adar.
&nbsp; 8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people
scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the
provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws <I>are</I> diverse from all
people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it <I>is</I> not
for the king's profit to suffer them.
&nbsp; 9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be
destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the
hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring
<I>it</I> into the king's treasuries.
&nbsp; 10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto
Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.
&nbsp; 11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver <I>is</I> given to thee,
the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.
&nbsp; 12 Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of
the first month, and there was written according to all that
Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the
governors that <I>were</I> over every province, and to the rulers of
every people of every province according to the writing thereof,
and <I>to</I> every people after their language; in the name of king
Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.
&nbsp; 13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's
provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews,
both young and old, little children and women, in one day, <I>even</I>
upon the thirteenth <I>day</I> of the twelfth month, which is the
month Adar, and <I>to take</I> the spoil of them for a prey.
&nbsp; 14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in
every province was published unto all people, that they should be
ready against that day.
&nbsp; 15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's
commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And
the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was
perplexed.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Haman values himself upon that bold and daring thought, which he
fancied well became his great spirit, of destroying all the Jews--an
undertaking worthy of its author, and which he promised himself would
perpetuate his memory. He doubts not but to find desperate and bloody
hands enough to cut all their throats if the king will but give him
leave. How he obtained leave, and commission to do it, we are here
told. He had the king's ear, let him alone to manage him.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. He makes a false and malicious representation of Jews, and their
character, to the king,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
The enemies of God's people could not give them such bad treatment as
they do if they did not first give them a bad name. He would have the
king believe,
1. That the Jews were a despicable people, and that it was not for his
credit to harbour them:"<I>A certain people there is,</I>" without
name, as if nobody knew whence they came and what they were; "they are
not incorporated, <I>but scattered abroad and dispersed in all the
provinces</I> as fugitives and vagabonds on the earth, and inmates in
all countries, the burden and scandal of the places where they live."
2. That they were a dangerous people, and that it was not safe to
harbour them. "They have laws and usages of their own, and conform not
to the statutes of the kingdom and the customs of the country; and
therefore they may be looked upon as disaffected to the government and
likely to infect others with their singularities, which may end in a
rebellion." It is no new thing for the best of men to have such
invidious characters as these given of them; if it be no sin to kill
them, it is no sin to belie them.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. He bids high for leave to destroy them all,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
He knew there were many that hated the Jews, and would willingly fall
upon them if they might but have a commission: <I>Let it be written</I>
therefore <I>that they may be destroyed.</I> Give but orders for a
general massacre of all the Jews, and Haman will undertake it shall be
easily done. If the king will gratify him in this matter, he will make
him a present of <I>ten thousand talents,</I> which shall be <I>paid
into the king's treasuries.</I> This, he thought, would be a powerful
inducement to the king to consent, and would obviate the strongest
objection against him, which was that the government must needs sustain
loss in its revenues by the destruction of so many of its subjects; so
great a sum, he hoped, would be equivalent for that. Proud and
malicious men will not stick at the expenses of their revenge, nor
spare any cost to gratify it. Yet no doubt Haman knew how to re-imburse
himself out of the spoil of the Jews, which his janizaries were to
seize for him
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
and so to make them bear the charges of their own ruin; while he
himself hoped to be not only a saver but a gainer by the bargain.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. He obtains what he desired, a full commission to do what he would
with the Jews,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:10,11"><I>v.</I> 10, 11</A>.
The king was so inattentive to business, and so bewitched with Haman,
that he took no time to examine the truth of his allegations, but was
as willing as Haman could wish to believe the worst concerning the
Jews, and therefore he gave them up into his hands, as lambs to the
lion: <I>The people are thine, do with them as it seemeth good unto
thee.</I> He does not say, "Kill them, slay them" (hoping Haman's own
cooler thoughts would abate the rigour of that sentence and induce him
to sell them for slaves); but "Do what thou wilt with them." And so
little did he consider how much he should lose in his tribute, and how
much Haman would gain in the spoil, that he gave him withal the ten
thousand talents: <I>The silver is thine.</I> Such an implicit
confidence likewise he had in Haman, and so perfectly had he abandoned
all care of his kingdom, that he gave Haman his ring, his privy-seal,
or sign-manual, wherewith to confirm whatever edict he pleased to draw
up for this purpose. Miserable is the kingdom that is at the disposal
of such a head as this, which has one ear only, and a nose to be led
by, but neither eyes nor brains, nor scarcely a tongue of its own.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
IV. He then consults with his soothsayers to find out a lucky day for
the designed massacre,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
The resolve was taken up in the first month, in the twelfth year of the
king, when Esther had been his wife about five years. Some day or other
in that year must be pitched upon; and, as if he doubted not but that
Heaven would favour his design and further it, he refers it to <I>the
lot,</I> that is, to the divine Providence, to choose the day for him;
but that, in the decision, proved a better friend to the Jews than to
him, for the lot fell upon <I>the twelfth month,</I> so that Mordecai
and Esther had eleven months to turn themselves in for the defeating of
the design, or, if they could not defeat it, space would be left for
the Jews to make their escape and shift for their safety. Haman, though
eager to have the Jews cut off, yet will submit to the laws of his
superstition, and not anticipate the supposed fortunate day, no, not to
gratify his impatient revenge. Probably he was in some fear lest the
Jews should prove too hard for their enemies, and therefore durst not
venture on such a hazardous enterprise but under the smiles of a good
omen. This may shame us, who often acquiesce not in the directions and
disposals of Providence when they cross our desires and intentions. He
that believeth the lot, much more that believeth the promise, will not
make haste. But see how God's wisdom serves its own purposes by men's
folly. Haman has appealed to the lot, and to the lot he shall go,
which, by adjourning the execution, gives judgment against him and
breaks the neck of the plot.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
V. The bloody edict is hereupon drawn up, signed, and published, giving
orders to the militia of every province to be ready against <I>the
thirteenth day of the twelfth month,</I> and, on that day, to murder
all the Jews, men, women, and children, and seize their effects,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:12-14"><I>v.</I> 12-14</A>.
Had the decree been to banish all the Jews and expel them out of the
king's dominions, it would have been severe enough; but surely never
any act of cruelty appeared so barefaced as this, to <I>destroy, to
kill, and to cause to perish, all the Jews,</I> appointing them <I>as
sheep for the slaughter</I> without showing any cause for so doing. No
crime is laid to their charge; it is not pretended that they were
obnoxious to the public justice, nor is any condition offered, upon
performance of which they might have their lives spared; but die they
must, without mercy. Thus have the church's enemies thirsted after
blood, the <I>blood of the saints and the martyrs of</I> Jesus, and
drunk of it till they have been perfectly intoxicated
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+17:6">Rev. xvii. 6</A>);
yet still, like <I>the horse-leech,</I> they cry, <I>Give, give.</I>
This cruel offer is ratified with the king's seal, directed to the
king's lieutenants, and drawn up in the king's name, and yet the king
knows not what he does. Posts are sent out, with all expedition, to
carry copies of the decree to the respective provinces,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+3:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
See how restless the malice of the church's enemies is: it will spare
no pains; it will lose no time.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
VI. The different temper of the court and city hereupon.
1. The court was very merry upon it: <I>The king and Haman sat down to
drink,</I> perhaps to drink "Confusion to all the Jews." Haman was
afraid lest the king's conscience should smite him for what he had done
and he should begin to wish it undone again, to prevent which he
engrossed him to himself, and kept him drinking. This cursed method
many take to drown their convictions, and harden their own hearts and
the hearts of others in sin.
2. The city was very sad upon it (and the other cities of the kingdom,
no doubt, when they had notice of it): <I>The city Shushan was
perplexed,</I> not only the Jews themselves, but all their neighbours
that had any principles of justice and compassion. It grieved them to
see their king so abused, to see <I>wickedness in the place of
judgment</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+3:16">Eccl. iii. 16</A>),
to see men that lived peaceably treated so barbarously; and what would
be the consequences of it to themselves they knew not. But the king and
Haman cared for none of these things. Note, It is an absurd and
impious thing to indulge ourselves in mirth and pleasure when the
church is in distress and the public are perplexed.</P>
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