Esther 1

Esther 1:1

OF Ahasuerus] It seems to be Xerxes. See Ezr. 4. 6. He was the sonne of Darius Hystaspis; his wife was called Amestris, a name not much unlike Esther. Others think that it was Darius his father, whose wife was Atossa, not much differing from Hadassa, chap. 2. 7. See Herodotus and Ctesis.

an hundred and seven and twenty provinces] Belike the kingdom was enlarged since the first Darius his time. See Daniel 6:1.

Esther 1:2

sate on the throne] That is, had quietnesse and rest.

Shushan] Nehemiah 1:1.

the palace] The city and palace were both of one name. See chap. 3. 15. & 4. 6. & 9. 14, 15. The kings of Persia usually kept their winter-court here, as they did their summer-court at Ecbatana, Ezra 6:2. Shushan was a city situated on the river Coaspes: it hath its name in Hebrew from lilies, whereof store grew there in likelihood.

Esther 1:4

When he shewed] Or, While he shewed, or, after he had shewed, as Deuteronomy 4:45.

Esther 1:5

a feast] Some think there were two feasts; one for the princes, the other for the people. Others think there was but one for both.

that were present] Heb. found. Both inhabitants and strangers.

Esther 1:6

blue] Or, violet.

the beds were of gold] Which they used in those countreys, in stead of tables.

of red, and blue, and white, and black marble] Or, of porphyre, and marble, and alabaster, and stone of blue colour.

Esther 1:7

royall wine] Heb. wine of the kingdom. The best and choisest wines, such as the king himself used to drink.

according to the state of the king] Heb. according to the hand of the king. As was beseeming so magnificent a prince.

Esther 1:8

none did compell] Or, no man might restrain. So the word is used, Daniel 4:9. no secret is restrained from thee. For it shewed the kings magnificence, to give men as much wine as they would, and not to restrain any.

Esther 1:9

for the woman] Or, for their wives. To wit, whose husbands did feast with the king.

Esther 1:10

On the seventh day] Which was the last day of the feast that the king made, as v. 5.

merry] Heb. good, 2 Samuel 13:28.

with wine] So that this command came rather from wine then from reason: yet God by this means brought in Esther to preserve his Church.

chamberlains] Or, eunuchs.

Esther 1:11

fair to look on] Heb. good of countenance.

Esther 1:12

by his chamberlains] Heb. which was by the hand of his eunuchs.

Esther 1:13

which knew the times] That had experience of matters of government, by reading and observation, 1 Chron. 12. 32.

so was the kings manner] This heathen king did always use the counsell of learned men in his publike affairs; and so he doth now in the midst of his jollity.

Esther 1:14

the seven princes of Persia] Ezra 7:14.

which saw the kings face] Matthew 18:10. Which were his chief counsellours, who daily had accesse to him.

Esther 1:15

What shall we do?] Or, what may we do? Heb. What to do?

Esther 1:16

but also to all the princes] By her disobedience she hath given an example to all women to do the like to their husbands.

Esther 1:17

For this deed of the queen] That is, her disobedience.

shall] Or, will. shall] Or, will.

The king Ahasuerus] She came not at the kings own command, Why should we at meaner mens?

Esther 1:18

the ladies of Persia] The ladies will first be corrupted by the queens example, and then the meaner women by theirs. contempt and wrath] Contempt in wives, works wrath in husbands.

Esther 1:19

If it please the king] Heb. if it be good with the king.

from him] Heb. from before him.

let it be written among the laws] Among the authenticall records of the kingdom, that it may remain firm.

that it be not altered] Heb. that it passe not away.

that Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus] Let her be divorced, and another made queen.

unto another] Heb. unto her companion.

Esther 1:20

for it is great] For he had under him an hundred and seven and twenty provinces. See v. 1.

Esther 1:21

pleased the king] Heb. was good in the eyes of the king.

Esther 1:22

that every man should bear rule in his own house] That is, that the wife, and the whole family, should be subject to her husband, and at his commandment.

and that it should be published according to the language of every people] Or, and should speak according to the language of his own people. Heb. that one should publish according to the language of his people. That is, that women should speak their husbands language, and all the family; for conformity in language, is a token of subjection, Daniel 1:4.