mh_parser/vol_split/17 - Esther/Chapter 5.xml

<div2 id="Esth.vi" n="vi" next="Esth.vii" prev="Esth.v" progress="98.36%" title="Chapter V">
<h2 id="Esth.vi-p0.1">E S T H E R</h2>
<h3 id="Esth.vi-p0.2">CHAP. V.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Esth.vi-p1">The last news we had of Haman left him in his
cups, <scripRef id="Esth.vi-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Esth.3.15" parsed="|Esth|3|15|0|0" passage="Es 3:15"><i>ch.</i> iii. 15</scripRef>.
Our last news of queen Esther left her in tears, fasting and
praying. Now this chapter brings in, I. Esther in her joys, smiled
upon by the king and honoured with his company at her banquet of
wine, <scripRef id="Esth.vi-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5.1-Esth.5.8" parsed="|Esth|5|1|5|8" passage="Es 5:1-8">ver. 1-8</scripRef>. II. Haman
upon the fret, because he had not Mordecai's cap and knee, and with
great indignation setting up a gallows for him, <scripRef id="Esth.vi-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5.9-Esth.5.14" parsed="|Esth|5|9|5|14" passage="Es 5:9-14">ver. 9-14</scripRef>. Thus those that sow in tears
shall reap in joy, but the triumphing of the wicked is short.</p>
<scripCom id="Esth.vi-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5" parsed="|Esth|5|0|0|0" passage="Es 5" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Esth.vi-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5.1-Esth.5.8" parsed="|Esth|5|1|5|8" passage="Es 5:1-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Esth.5.1-Esth.5.8">
<h4 id="Esth.vi-p1.6">Esther's Approach to the
King. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Esth.vi-p1.7">b. c.</span> 510.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Esth.vi-p2">1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that
Esther put on <i>her</i> royal <i>apparel,</i> and stood in the
inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and
the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against
the gate of the house.   2 And it was so, when the king saw
Esther the queen standing in the court, <i>that</i> she obtained
favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden
sceptre that <i>was</i> in his hand. So Esther drew near, and
touched the top of the sceptre.   3 Then said the king unto
her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what <i>is</i> thy request?
it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.   4
And Esther answered, If <i>it seem</i> good unto the king, let the
king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared
for him.   5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste,
that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to
the banquet that Esther had prepared.   6 And the king said
unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What <i>is</i> thy petition?
and it shall be granted thee: and what <i>is</i> thy request? even
to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.   7 Then
answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request <i>is;</i>
  8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it
please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request,
let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for
them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Esth.vi-p3">Here is, I. Esther's bold approach to the
king, <scripRef id="Esth.vi-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5.1" parsed="|Esth|5|1|0|0" passage="Es 5:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. When the
time appointed for their fast was finished she lost no time, but on
the third day, when the impression of her devotions were fresh upon
her spirit, she addressed the king. When the heart is enlarged in
communion with God it will be emboldened in doing and suffering for
him. Some think that the three days' fast was only one whole day
and two whole nights, in all which time they did not take any food
at all, and that this is called <i>three days,</i> as Christ's
lying in the grave so long is. This exposition is favoured by the
consideration that on the third day the queen made her appearance
at court. Resolutions which have difficulties and dangers to break
though should be pursued without delay, lest they cool and slacken.
<i>What thou doest,</i> which must be done boldly, <i>do it
quickly.</i> Now she <i>put on her royal apparel,</i> that she
might the better recommend herself to the king, and laid aside her
fast-day clothes. She put on her fine clothes, not to please
herself, but her husband; in her prayer, as we find in the
Apocrypha (<scripRef id="Esth.vi-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Esth.14.16" parsed="|Esth|14|16|0|0" passage="Esther xiv. 16">Esther xiv. 16</scripRef>), she thus appeals to God: <i>Thou
knowest, Lord, I abhor the sign of my high estate which is upon my
head, in the days wherein I show myself, &amp;c.</i> Let hose whose
rank obliges them to wear rich clothes learn hence to be dead to
them, and not make them their adorning. She stood <i>in the inner
court over against the king,</i> expecting her doom, between hope
and fear.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Esth.vi-p4">II. The favourable reception which the king
gave her. When he <i>saw her</i> she <i>obtained favour in his
sight.</i> The apocryphal author and Josephus say that she took two
maids with her, on one of whom she leaned, while the other bore up
her train,—that her countenance was cheerful and very amiable, but
her heart was in anguish,—that the king, lifting up his
countenance that shone with majesty, at first looked very fiercely
upon her, whereupon she grew pale, and fainted, and bowed herself
on the head of the maid that went by her; but then God changed the
spirit of the king, and, in a fear, he leaped from his throne, took
her in his arms till she came to herself, and comforted her with
loving words. Here we are only told,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Esth.vi-p5">1. That he protected her from the law, and
assured her of safety, by <i>holding out to her the golden
sceptre</i> (<scripRef id="Esth.vi-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5.2" parsed="|Esth|5|2|0|0" passage="Es 5:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>),
which she thankfully <i>touched the top of,</i> thereby presenting
herself to him as a humble petitioner. Thus having had power with
God and prevailed, like Jacob, she had power with men too. <i>He
that will lose his life</i> for God shall <i>save it,</i> or find
it in a better life.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Esth.vi-p6">2. That he encouraged her address
(<scripRef id="Esth.vi-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5.3" parsed="|Esth|5|3|0|0" passage="Es 5:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>): <i>What wilt
thou, queen Esther, and what is thy request?</i> So far was he from
counting her an offender that he seemed glad to see her, and
desirous to oblige her. He that had divorced one wife for not
coming when she was sent for would not be severe to another for
coming when she was not sent for. God can turn the hearts of men,
of great men, of those that act most arbitrarily, which way he
pleases towards us. Esther feared that she should perish, but was
promised that she should have what she might ask for, though it
were <i>the half of the kingdom.</i> Note, God in his providence
often prevents the fears, and outdoes the hopes, of his people,
especially when they venture in his cause. Let us from this story
infer, as our Saviour does from the parable of the unjust judge, an
encouragement to <i>pray always</i> to our God, <i>and not
faint,</i> <scripRef id="Esth.vi-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.18.6-Luke.18.8" parsed="|Luke|18|6|18|8" passage="Lu 18:6-8">Luke xviii.
6-8</scripRef>. Hear what this haughty king says (<i>What is thy
petition, and what is thy request? It shall be granted thee</i>),
and say <i>shall not God</i> hear and answer the prayers of <i>his
own elect, that cry day and night to him?</i> Esther came to a
proud imperious man; we come to the God of love and grace. She was
not called; we are: the Spirit says, <i>Come,</i> and the bride
says, <i>Come.</i> She had a law against her; we have a promise,
many a promise, in favour of us: <i>Ask, and it shall be given
you.</i> She had no friend to introduce her, or intercede for her,
while on the contrary he that was then the king's favourite was her
enemy; but we have an advocate with the Father, in whom he is well
pleased. <i>Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of
grace.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Esth.vi-p7">3. That all the request she had to make to
him, at this time, was that he would please to come to a banquet
which she had prepared for him, and bring Haman along with him,
<scripRef id="Esth.vi-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5.4-Esth.5.5" parsed="|Esth|5|4|5|5" passage="Es 5:4,5"><i>v.</i> 4, 5</scripRef>. Hereby,
(1.) She would intimate to him how much she valued his favour and
company. Whatever she had to ask, she desired his favour above any
thing, and would purchase it at any rate. (2.) She would try how he
stood affected to her; for, if he should refuse this, it would be
to no purpose as yet to present her other request. (3.) She would
endeavour to bring him into a pleasant humour, and soften his
spirit, that he might with the more tenderness receive the
impressions of the complaint she had to make to him. (4.) She would
please him, by making court to Haman his favourite, and inviting
him to come whose company she knew he loved and whom she desired to
have present when she made her complaint; for she would say nothing
of him but what she durst say to his face. (5.) She hoped at the
banquet of wine to have a fairer and more favourable opportunity of
presenting her petition. Wisdom is profitable to direct how to
manage some men that are hard to deal with, and to take them by the
right handle.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Esth.vi-p8">4. That he readily came, and ordered Haman
to come along with him (<scripRef id="Esth.vi-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5.5" parsed="|Esth|5|5|0|0" passage="Es 5:5"><i>v.</i>
5</scripRef>), which was an indication of the kindness he still
retained for her; if he really designed the destruction of her and
her people, he would not have accepted her banquet. There he
renewed his kind enquiry (<i>What is thy petition?</i>) and his
generous promise, that it should be granted, <i>even to the half of
the kingdom</i> (<scripRef id="Esth.vi-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5.6" parsed="|Esth|5|6|0|0" passage="Es 5:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>), a proverbial expression, by which he assured her
that he would deny her nothing in reason. Herod used it, <scripRef id="Esth.vi-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Mark.6.23" parsed="|Mark|6|23|0|0" passage="Mk 6:23">Mark vi. 23</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Esth.vi-p9">5. That then Esther thought fit to ask no
more than a promise that he would please to accept of another
treat, the next day, in her apartment, and Haman with him
(<scripRef id="Esth.vi-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5.7-Esth.5.8" parsed="|Esth|5|7|5|8" passage="Es 5:7,8"><i>v.</i> 7, 8</scripRef>),
intimating to him that then she would let him know what her
business was. This adjourning of the main petition may be
attributed, (1.) To Esther's prudence; thus she hoped yet further
to win upon him and ingratiate herself with him. Perhaps her heart
failed her now when she was going to make her request, and she
desired to take some further time for prayer, that God would give
her <i>a mouth and wisdom.</i> The putting of it off thus, it is
likely, she knew would be well taken as an expression of the great
reverence she had for the king, and her unwillingness to be too
pressing upon him. What is hastily asked is often as hastily
denied; but what is asked with a pause deserves to be considered.
(2.) To God's providence putting it into Esther's heart to delay
her petition a day longer, she knew not why, but God did, that what
was to happen in the night intervening between this and to-morrow
might further her design and make way for her success, that Haman
might arrive at the highest pitch of malice against Mordecai and
might begin to <i>fall before him.</i> The Jews perhaps blamed
Ester as dilatory, and some of them began to suspect her sincerity,
or at least her zeal; but the event disproved their jealousy, and
all was for the best.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Esth.vi-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5.9-Esth.5.14" parsed="|Esth|5|9|5|14" passage="Es 5:9-14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Esth.5.9-Esth.5.14">
<h4 id="Esth.vi-p9.3">Haman's Joy and Chagrin; Haman's Mediated
Revenge. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Esth.vi-p9.4">b. c.</span> 510.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Esth.vi-p10">9 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with
a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that
he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation
against Mordecai.   10 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself:
and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and
Zeresh his wife.   11 And Haman told them of the glory of his
riches, and the multitude of his children, and all <i>the
things</i> wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had
advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.   12
Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in
with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself;
and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.   13
Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew
sitting at the king's gate.   14 Then said Zeresh his wife and
all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits
high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be
hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the
banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to
be made.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Esth.vi-p11">This account here given of Haman is a
comment upon that of Solomon, <scripRef id="Esth.vi-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.21.24" parsed="|Prov|21|24|0|0" passage="Pr 21:24">Prov.
xxi. 24</scripRef>. <i>Proud and haughty scorner is his name that
deals in proud wrath.</i> Never did any man more answer that name
than Haman, in whom pride and wrath had so much the ascendant. See
him,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Esth.vi-p12">I. Puffed up with the honour of being
invited to Esther's feast. He was <i>joyful and glad of heart</i>
at it, <scripRef id="Esth.vi-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5.9" parsed="|Esth|5|9|0|0" passage="Es 5:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. Observe
with what a high gust he speaks of it (<scripRef id="Esth.vi-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5.12" parsed="|Esth|5|12|0|0" passage="Es 5:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), how he values himself upon it,
and how near he thinks it brings him to the perfection of felicity,
that Esther the queen did let no man come with the king to the
banquet but his mighty self, and he thought it was because she was
exceedingly charmed with his conversation that the next day she had
invited him also to come with the king; none so fit as he to bear
the king company. Note, Self-admirers and self-flatterers are
really self-deceivers. Haman pleased himself with the fancy that
the queen, by this repeated invitation, designed to honour him,
whereas really she designed to accuse him, and, in calling him to
the banquet, did but call him to the bar. What magnifying glasses
do proud men look at their faces in! And how does the <i>pride of
their heart deceive them!</i> <scripRef id="Esth.vi-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Obad.1.3" parsed="|Obad|1|3|0|0" passage="Ob 1:3">Obad.
3</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Esth.vi-p13">II. Vexing and fretting at the slight that
Mordecai put upon him, and thereby made uneasy to himself and to
all about him. 1. Mordecai was as determined as ever: <i>He stood
not up, nor moved for him,</i> <scripRef id="Esth.vi-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5.9" parsed="|Esth|5|9|0|0" passage="Es 5:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>. What he did was from a principle of conscience, and
therefore he persevered in it, and would not cringe to Haman, no,
not when he had reason to fear him and Esther herself complimented
him. He knew God could and would deliver him and his people from
the rage of Haman, without any such mean and sneaking expedients to
mollify him. Those that walk in holy sincerity may walk in holy
security, and go on in their work, not fearing what man can do unto
them. <i>He that walks uprightly walks surely.</i> 2. Haman can as
ill bear it as ever; nay, the higher he is lifted up, the more
impatient is he of contempt and the more enraged at it. (1.) It
made his own spirit restless, and put him into a grievous
agitation. He was <i>full of indignation</i> (<scripRef id="Esth.vi-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5.9" parsed="|Esth|5|9|0|0" passage="Es 5:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>) and yet <i>refrained himself,</i>
<scripRef id="Esth.vi-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5.10" parsed="|Esth|5|10|0|0" passage="Es 5:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. Gladly would
he have drawn his sword and run Mordecai through for affronting him
thus; but he hoped shortly to see him fall with all the Jews, and
therefore with much ado prevailed with himself to forbear stabbing
him. What a struggle had he in his own bosom between his anger,
which required Mordecai's death immediately (<i>O that I had of his
flesh! I cannot be satisfied!</i> <scripRef id="Esth.vi-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Job.31.31" parsed="|Job|31|31|0|0" passage="Job 31:31">Job
xxxi. 31</scripRef>), and his malice, which had determined to wait
for the general massacre! Thus <i>thorns and snares are in the way
of the froward.</i> (2.) It made all his enjoyments sapless. This
little affront which he received from Mordecai was the dead fly
which spoiled all his pot of precious ointment; he himself owned in
the presence of his wife and friends, to the everlasting reproach
of a proud and discontented mind, that he had no comfort in his
estate, preferment, and family, as long as Mordecai lived and had a
place <i>in the king's gate,</i> <scripRef id="Esth.vi-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5.10-Esth.5.13" parsed="|Esth|5|10|5|13" passage="Es 5:10-13"><i>v.</i> 10-13</scripRef>. He took notice of his own
riches and honours, the numerousness of his family, and the high
posts to which he was advanced, that he was the darling of the
prince and the idol of the court; and <i>yet all this avails him
nothing</i> as long as Mordecai is unhanged. Those that are
disposed to be uneasy will never want something or other to be
uneasy at; and proud men, though they have <i>much</i> to their
mind, yet, if they have not <i>all</i> to their mind, it is as
nothing to them. The thousandth part of what Haman had would serve
to make a humble modest man as much of a happiness as he expects
from this world; and yet Haman complained as passionately as if he
had been sunk into the lowest degree of poverty and disgrace.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Esth.vi-p14">III. Meditating revenge, and assisted
therein by his wife and his friends, <scripRef id="Esth.vi-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5.14" parsed="|Esth|5|14|0|0" passage="Es 5:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. They saw how gladly he would
dispense with his own resolution of deferring the slaughter till
the time determined by the lot, and therefore advised him to take
an earnest and foretaste of the satisfaction he then expected in
the speedy execution of Mordecai; let him have that to please him
at the moment; and having, as he thought, made sure the destruction
of all the Jews, at the time appointed, he will not think scorn,
for the present, to lay hands on Mordecai alone. 1. For the
pleasing of his fancy they advise him to get <i>a gallows
ready,</i> and have it set up before his own door, that, as soon as
ever he could get the warrant signed, there might be no delay of
the execution; he would not need so much as to stay the making of
the gallows. This is very agreeable to Haman, who has the gallows
made and fixed immediately; it must be fifty cubits high, or as
near that as might be, for the greater disgrace of Mordecai and to
make him a spectacle to every one that passed by; and it must be
before Haman's door, that all men might take notice it was to the
idol of his revenge that Mordecai was sacrificed and that he might
feed his eyes with the sight. 2. For the gaining of his point they
advise him to go early in the morning to the king, and get an order
from him for the hanging of Mordecai, which, they doubted not,
would be readily granted to one who was so much the king's
favourite and who had so easily obtained an edict for the
destruction of the whole nation of the Jews. There needed no
feigned suggestion; it was enough if he let the king know that
Mordecai, in contempt of the king's command, refused to reverence
him. And now we leave Haman to go to bed, pleased with the thoughts
of seeing Mordecai hanged the next day, and then going merrily to
the banquet, and not dreaming of handselling his own gallows.</p>
</div></div2>