552 lines
24 KiB
HTML
552 lines
24 KiB
HTML
<HTML>
|
|
<HEAD>
|
|
<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Esther, Chapter I].</TITLE>
|
|
<meta name="aesop" content="information">
|
|
<meta name="description" content=
|
|
"This site is for those friends and family members who may or may not know Our Lord Jesus Christ, and if not, they may come to know Our Lord through His Prophets."> <meta name="author" content="Brian Duncalfe">
|
|
<meta name="keywords" content=
|
|
"Prophecy, Rapture,hope,bible map,bible maps, God, tribulation,Second Coming,Christ,large print bible,commentary,complete">
|
|
</HEAD>
|
|
<body background="../sueback.jpg" bgproperties="fixed" >
|
|
<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
|
|
on the Whole Bible</h1>
|
|
<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
|
|
</h3>
|
|
</center>
|
|
|
|
<HR>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
|
<TR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC17000.HTM">Previous</A>]
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC17002.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
|
|
</TD></TR></TABLE>
|
|
<HR>
|
|
|
|
<!-- (Begin Body) -->
|
|
|
|
<CENTER>
|
|
<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>E S T H E R</B></FONT>
|
|
<BR>
|
|
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. I.</FONT>
|
|
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
|
|
</CENTER>
|
|
|
|
<FONT SIZE=-1>
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great
|
|
use; but the design of recording the story of it is to show how way was
|
|
made for Esther to the crown, in order to her being instrumental to
|
|
defeat Haman's plot, and this long before the plot was laid, that we
|
|
may observe and admire the foresight and vast reaches of Providence.
|
|
"Known unto God are all his works" before-hand. Ahasuerus the king,
|
|
|
|
I. In his height feasts all his great men,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:1-9">ver. 1-9</A>.
|
|
|
|
II. In his heat he divorces his queen, because she would not come to
|
|
him when he sent for her,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:10-22">ver. 10-22</A>.
|
|
|
|
This shows how God serves his own purposes even by the sins and follies
|
|
of men, which he would not permit if he know not how to bring good out
|
|
of them.</P>
|
|
|
|
</FONT>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_1"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_2"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_3"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_4"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_5"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_6"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_7"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_8"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_9"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Feast of Ahasuerus.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 519.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this <I>is</I>
|
|
Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, <I>over</I> an
|
|
hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)
|
|
2 <I>That</I> in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the
|
|
throne of his kingdom, which <I>was</I> in Shushan the palace,
|
|
3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his
|
|
princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the
|
|
nobles and princes of the provinces, <I>being</I> before him:
|
|
4 When he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the
|
|
honour of his excellent majesty many days, <I>even</I> a hundred and
|
|
fourscore days.
|
|
5 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto
|
|
all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto
|
|
great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the
|
|
king's palace;
|
|
6 <I>Where were</I> white, green, and blue, <I>hangings,</I> fastened
|
|
with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars
|
|
of marble: the beds <I>were of</I> gold and silver, upon a pavement of
|
|
red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
|
|
7 And they gave <I>them</I> drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels
|
|
being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance,
|
|
according to the state of the king.
|
|
8 And the drinking <I>was</I> according to the law; none did compel:
|
|
for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house,
|
|
that they should do according to every man's pleasure.
|
|
9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women <I>in</I> the
|
|
royal house which <I>belonged</I> to king Ahasuerus.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Which of the kings of Persia this Ahasuerus was the learned are not
|
|
agreed. Mordecai is said to have been one of those that were
|
|
<I>carried</I> captive from <I>Jerusalem</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+2:5,6"><I>ch.</I> ii. 5, 6</A>),
|
|
|
|
whence it should seem that this Ahasuerus was one of the first kings of
|
|
that empire. Dr. Lightfoot thinks that he was that Artaxerxes who
|
|
hindered the building of the temple, who is called also
|
|
<I>Ahasuerus</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+4:6,7">Ezra iv. 6, 7</A>),
|
|
|
|
after his great-grandfather of the Medes,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:1">Dan. ix. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
We have here an account,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Of the vast extent of his dominion. In the time of Darius and Cyrus
|
|
there were but 120 princes
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+6:1">
|
|
Dan. vi. 1</A>);
|
|
|
|
now there were 127, <I>from India to Ethiopia,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
It had become an over-grown kingdom, which in time would sink with its
|
|
own weight, and, as usual, would lose its provinces as fast as it got
|
|
them. If such vast power be put into a bad hand, it is able to do so
|
|
much the more mischief; but, if into a good hand, it is able to do so
|
|
much the more good. Christ's kingdom is, or shall be, far larger than
|
|
this, when the kingdoms of the world shall all become his; and it shall
|
|
be everlasting.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Of the great pomp and magnificence of his court. When he found
|
|
himself fixed in his throne, the pride of his heart rising with the
|
|
grandeur of his kingdom, he made a most extravagant feast, wherein he
|
|
put himself to vast expense and trouble only <I>to show the riches of
|
|
his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
This was vain glory, an affection of pomp to no purpose at all; for
|
|
none questioned the riches of his kingdom, nor offered to vie with him
|
|
for honour. If he had shown the riches of his kingdom and the honour of
|
|
his majesty, as some of his successors did, in contributing largely
|
|
towards the building of the temple and the maintaining of the temple
|
|
service
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+6:8,7:22">Ezra vi. 8, vii. 22</A>),
|
|
|
|
it would have turned to a much better account. Two feasts Ahasuerus
|
|
made:--
|
|
|
|
1. One for his nobles and princes, which lasted <I>a hundred and eighty
|
|
days,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:3,4"><I>v.</I> 3, 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
Not that he feasted the same persons every day for all that time, but
|
|
perhaps the nobles and princes of one province one day, of another
|
|
province another day, while thus he and his constant attendants fared
|
|
sumptuously every day. The Chaldee paraphrast (who is very bold in his
|
|
additions to the story of this book) says that there had been a
|
|
rebellion among his subjects and that this feast was kept for joy of
|
|
the quashing of it.
|
|
|
|
2. Another was made for <I>all the people, both great and small,</I>
|
|
which lasted <I>seven days,</I> some one day and some another; and,
|
|
because no house would hold them, they were entertained <I>in the court
|
|
of the garden,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
The hangings with which the several apartments were divided or the
|
|
tents which were there pitched for the company, were very fine and
|
|
rich; so were the beds or benches on which they sat, and the pavement
|
|
under their feet,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
Better is a dinner of herbs with quietness, and the enjoyment of one's
|
|
self and a friend, than this banquet of wine with all the noise and
|
|
tumult that must needs attend it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. Of the good order which in some respects was kept there
|
|
notwithstanding. We do not find this like Belshazzar's feast, in which
|
|
dunghill-gods were praised and the vessels of the sanctuary profaned,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+5:3,4">Dan. v. 3, 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
Yet the Chaldee paraphrase says that the vessels of the sanctuary were
|
|
used in this feast, to the great grief of the pious Jews. It was not
|
|
like Herod's feast, which reserved a prophet's head for the last dish.
|
|
Two things which are laudable we may gather from the account here given
|
|
of this feast:--
|
|
|
|
1. That there was no forcing of healths, nor urging of them: <I>The
|
|
drinking was according to the law,</I> probably some law lately made;
|
|
<I>none did compel,</I> no, not by continual proposing of it (as
|
|
Josephus explains it); they did not send the glass about, but every man
|
|
drank as he pleased
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
so that if there were any that drank to excess it was their own fault,
|
|
a fault which few would commit when the king's order put an honour upon
|
|
sobriety. This caution of a heathen prince, even when he would show his
|
|
generosity, may shame many who are called Christians, who think they do
|
|
not sufficiently show their good housekeeping, nor bid their friends
|
|
welcome, unless they make them drunk, and, under pretence of sending
|
|
the health round, send the sin round, and death with it. There is a woe
|
|
to those that do so; let them read it and tremble,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hab+2:15,16">Hab. ii. 15, 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is robbing men of their reason, their richest jewel, and making them
|
|
fools, the greatest wrong that can be.
|
|
|
|
2. That there was no mixed dancing; for the gentlemen and ladies were
|
|
entertained asunder, not as in the feast of Belshazzar, whose wives and
|
|
concubines drank with him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+5:2">Dan. v. 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
or that of Herod, whose daughter <I>danced before him.</I> Vashti
|
|
feasted the women in her own apartment; not openly in the court of the
|
|
garden, but <I>in the royal house,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus, while the king showed the honour of his majesty, she and her
|
|
ladies showed the honour of their modesty, which is truly the majesty
|
|
of the fair sex.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_10"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_11"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Es1_22"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Vashti's Refusal to Appear; Vashti Divorced.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 519.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry
|
|
with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and
|
|
Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served
|
|
in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
|
|
11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown
|
|
royal, to show the people and the princes her beauty: for she
|
|
<I>was</I> fair to look on.
|
|
12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's
|
|
commandment by <I>his</I> chamberlains: therefore was the king very
|
|
wroth, and his anger burned in him.
|
|
13 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times,
|
|
(for so <I>was</I> the king's manner toward all that knew law and
|
|
judgment:
|
|
14 And the next unto him <I>was</I> Carshena, Shethar, Admatha,
|
|
Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, <I>and</I> Memucan, the seven princes of
|
|
Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, <I>and</I> which sat the
|
|
first in the kingdom;)
|
|
15 What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law,
|
|
because she hath not performed the commandment of the king
|
|
Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
|
|
16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti
|
|
the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all
|
|
the princes, and to all the people that <I>are</I> in all the
|
|
provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
|
|
17 For <I>this</I> deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all
|
|
women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes,
|
|
when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti
|
|
the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.
|
|
18 <I>Likewise</I> shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day
|
|
unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the
|
|
queen. Thus <I>shall there arise</I> too much contempt and wrath.
|
|
19 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from
|
|
him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the
|
|
Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before
|
|
king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto
|
|
another that is better than she.
|
|
20 And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be
|
|
published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the
|
|
wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and
|
|
small.
|
|
21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the
|
|
king did according to the word of Memucan:
|
|
22 For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into
|
|
every province according to the writing thereof, and to every
|
|
people after their language, that every man should bear rule in
|
|
his own house, and that <I>it</I> should be published according to the
|
|
language of every people.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here a damp to all the mirth of Ahasuerus's feast; it ended in
|
|
heaviness, not as Job's children's feast by a wind from the wilderness,
|
|
not as Belshazzar's by a hand-writing on the wall, but by is own folly.
|
|
An unhappy falling out there was, at the end of the feast, between the
|
|
king and queen, which broke of the feast abruptly, and sent the guests
|
|
away silent and ashamed.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. It was certainly the king's weakness to send for Vashti into his
|
|
presence when he was drunk, and in company with abundance of gentlemen,
|
|
many of whom, it is likely, were in the same condition. <I>When his
|
|
heart was merry with wine</I> nothing would serve him but Vashti must
|
|
come, well dressed as she was, with <I>the crown on her head,</I> that
|
|
the princes and people might see what a handsome woman she was,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:10,11"><I>v.</I> 10, 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Hereby,
|
|
|
|
1. He dishonoured himself as a husband, who ought to protect, but by no
|
|
means expose, the modesty of his wife, who ought to be to her <I>a
|
|
covering of the eyes</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+20:16">Gen. xx. 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
not to uncover them.
|
|
|
|
2. He diminished himself as a king, in commanding that from his wife
|
|
which she might refuse, much to the honour of her virtue. It was
|
|
against the custom of the Persians for the women to appear in public,
|
|
and he put a great hardship upon her when he did not court, but command
|
|
her to do so uncouth a thing, and make her a show. If he had not been
|
|
put out of the possession of himself by drinking to excess, he would
|
|
not have done such a thing, but would have been angry at any one that
|
|
should have mentioned it. When the wine is in the wit is out, and men's
|
|
reason departs from them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. However, perhaps it was not her wisdom to deny him. <I>She refused
|
|
to come</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>);
|
|
|
|
though he sent his command by seven honourable messengers, and
|
|
publicly, and Josephus says sent again and again, yet she persisted in
|
|
her denial. Had she come, while it was evident that she did it in pure
|
|
obedience, it would have been no reflection upon her modesty, nor a bad
|
|
example. The thing was not in itself sinful, and therefore to obey
|
|
would have been more her honour than to be so precise. Perhaps she
|
|
refused in a haughty manner, and then it was certainly evil; she
|
|
<I>scorned to come at the king's commandment.</I> What a mortification
|
|
was this to him! While he was showing the glory of his kingdom he
|
|
showed the reproach of his family, that he had a wife that would do as
|
|
she pleased. Strifes between yoke-fellows are bad enough at any time,
|
|
but before company they are very scandalous, and occasion blushing and
|
|
uneasiness.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The king thereupon grew outrageous. He that had rule over 127
|
|
provinces had no rule over his own spirit, but his <I>anger burned in
|
|
him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
He would have consulted his own comfort and credit more if he had
|
|
stifled his resentment, had passed by the affront his wife gave him,
|
|
and turned it off with a jest.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. Though he was very angry, he would not do any thing in this matter
|
|
till he advised with his privy-counsellors; as he had seven
|
|
chamberlains to execute his orders, who are named
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
|
|
|
|
so he had seven counsellors to direct his orders. The greater power a
|
|
man has the greater need he has of advice, that he may not abuse his
|
|
power. Of these counsellors it is said that they were learned men, for
|
|
they <I>knew law</I> and <I>judgment,</I>that they were wise men, for
|
|
they <I>knew the times,</I>and that the king put great confidence in
|
|
them and honour upon them, for they <I>saw the king's face and sat
|
|
first in the kingdom,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:13,14"><I>v.</I> 13, 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
In the multitude of such counsellors there is safety. Now here is,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The question proposed to this cabinet-council
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>What shall we do to the queen Vashti according to the law?</I>
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Though it was the queen that was guilty, the law must have its
|
|
course.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Though the king was very angry, yet he would do nothing but what
|
|
he was advised was according to law.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The proposal which Memucan made, that Vashti should be divorced for
|
|
her disobedience. Some suggest that he gave this severe advice, and the
|
|
rest agreed to it, because they knew it would please the king, would
|
|
gratify both his passion now and his appetite afterwards. But Josephus
|
|
says that, on the contrary, he had a strong affection for Vashti, and
|
|
would not have put her away for this offence if he could legally have
|
|
passed it by; and then we must suppose Memucan, in his advice, to have
|
|
had a sincere regard to justice and the public good.
|
|
|
|
(1.) He shows what would be the bad consequences of the queen's
|
|
disobedience to her husband, if it were passed by and not animadverted
|
|
upon, that it would embolden other wives both to disobey their husbands
|
|
and to domineer over them. Had this unhappy falling out between the
|
|
king and his wife, wherein she was conqueror, been private, the error
|
|
would have remained with themselves and the quarrel might have been
|
|
settled privately between themselves; but it happening to be public,
|
|
and perhaps the ladies that were now feasting with the queen having
|
|
shown themselves pleased with her refusal, her bad example would be
|
|
likely to have a bad influence upon all the families of the kingdom. If
|
|
the queen must have her humour, and the king must submit to it (since
|
|
the houses of private persons commonly take their measures from the
|
|
courts of princes), the wives would be haughty and imperious and would
|
|
scorn to obey their husbands, and the poor despised husbands might fret
|
|
at it, but could not help themselves; for the <I>contentions of a wife
|
|
are a continual dropping,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+19:13,27:15">Prov. xix. 13; xxvii. 15</A>;
|
|
|
|
and see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+21:9,25:24">Prov. xxi. 9; xxv. 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
When wives <I>despise their husbands,</I> whom they ought to
|
|
<I>reverence</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+5:33">Eph. v. 33</A>),
|
|
|
|
and contend for <I>dominion</I> over those to whom they ought to be in
|
|
<I>subjection</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+3:1">1 Pet. iii. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
there cannot but be continual guilt and grief, confusion and every evil
|
|
work. And great ones must take heed of setting copies of this kind,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:16-18"><I>v.</I> 16-18</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He shows what would be the good consequence of a decree against
|
|
Vashti that she should be divorced. We may suppose that before they
|
|
proceeded to this extremity they sent to Vashti to know if she would
|
|
yet submit, cry <I>Peccavi--I have done wrong,</I> and ask the king's
|
|
pardon, and that, if she had done so, the mischief of her example would
|
|
have been effectually prevented, and process would have been stayed;
|
|
but it is likely she continued obstinate, and insisted upon it as her
|
|
prerogative to do as she pleased, whether it pleased the king or no,
|
|
and therefore they gave this judgment against her, that she <I>come no
|
|
more before the king,</I> and this judgment so ratified as never to be
|
|
reversed,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
The consequence of this, it was hoped, would be that <I>the wives would
|
|
give to their husbands honour,</I> even the wives of the <I>great,</I>
|
|
notwithstanding their own greatness, and the wives of the <I>small,</I>
|
|
notwithstanding the husband's meanness
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>);
|
|
|
|
and thus every man would bear rule in his own house, as he ought to do,
|
|
and, the wives being subject, the children and servants would be so
|
|
too. It is the interest of states and kingdoms to provide that good
|
|
order be kept in private families.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. The edict that passed according to this proposal, signifying that
|
|
the queen was divorced for contumacy, according to the law, and that,
|
|
if other wives were in like manner undutiful to their husbands, they
|
|
must expect to be in like manner disgraced
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:21,22"><I>v.</I> 21, 22</A>):
|
|
|
|
were they better than the queen? Whether it was the passion or the
|
|
policy of the king that was served by this edict, God's providence
|
|
served its own purpose by it, which was to make way for Esther to the
|
|
crown.</P>
|
|
|
|
<!-- (End Body) -->
|
|
|
|
<HR>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
|
<TR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC17000.HTM">Previous</A>]
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC17002.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
<HR>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
|
<TR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM">
|
|
|
|
|
|
<!--Matthew_Henry's_Commentary_on_the_Whole_Bible:_Esther_I.--><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank"><b>Back to Bibles Net . Com - Online Christian Library </b></a><br>
|
|
<a href="http://biblesnet.com/download.html" target="_blank"><br>
|
|
<b>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Free Download</b></a><br>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<A HREF="http://biblesnet.com/contactus.html" target="_blank"><strong>Contact Us </strong></A><br>
|
|
|
|
</TD></TR></TABLE>
|
|
<HR>
|
|
</BODY>
|
|
</HTML>
|