Esther 2

Esther 2:1

HE remembred Vashti] He spake of Vashti, it may be, with some relenting, after his heat was over, though he could not revrse the former law, ch. 8. 8. Daniel 6:15.

and what was decreed against her] By advice of the seven wise men of his councell, chap. 1. 19, 21.

Esther 2:2

Let there be fair yung virgins sought for the king] Lest he should take Vashti again, and punish his counsellours.

Esther 2:3

unto the custody] Heb. unto the hand.

Hege] Or, Hegai] Verse 8.

keeper of the women] The abuse of these countreys was so great, that they invented many means to serve the lusts of princes; and therefore, as they ordained wicked laws, That the king might have whose daughters he would, so they had divers houses appointed, as, one for them while they were virgins here, another when they were concubines, v. 14.

for purification] Read what this purification was, v. 12.

Esther 2:6

Who had been carried away] 2 Kings 24:15. 2 Chron. 36. 10. Jeremiah 24:1.

Esther 2:7

brought up] Heb. nourished.

that is] Or, the same is.

Esther] Her name was changed, as may well be thought, when she was married unto the king.

fair and beautifull] Heb. fair of form, and good of countenance, Genesis 12:11. and 24. 16.

Esther 2:9

she obtained kindnesse of him] Daniel 1:9.

such things as belonged to her] Heb. her portions.

he preferred her] Heb. he changed her.

Esther 2:10

that she should tot shew it] Because the Jews were the despised, and so she might misse the honor she after attained to.

Esther 2:11

Mordecai walked every day] For though she was taken away from him, ye he ceased not to have a fatherly care over her, and therefore did resort oft times to hear of her.

to know how Esther did] Heb. to know the peace.

Esther 2:13

whatsoever she desired was given her] What apparell, ornaments, or other things she asked of the eunuch, that was he bound to give her.

Esther 2:14

into the second house of the women] See Notes on v. 3.

Esther 2:15

the keeper of the women appointed] Wherein her modesty appeared, in that she sought not fine apparell to commend her beauty, but stood to the eunuchs appointment.

Esther 2:16

the moneth Tebeth] Which contained part of December, and part of January.

Esther 2:17

favour] Or, kindnesse.

in his sight] Heb. before him.

Esther 2:18

Esthers feast] Made for her sake, when he made her queen.

release, &c.] Heb. rest. He released thetr tribute.

according to the state] That is, great and magnificent, ch. 1. 7.

Esther 2:19

the second time] Either to attend at Esthers marriagefeast, or to chuse some concubines for the king.

Mordecai sate in the kings gate] Either he had the office of a porter, or else he sate there to hear how it fared with Esther.

Esther 2:20

as Mordecai had charged her] Lest the king should dislike her for her peoples sake, who were meanly thought of there.

Esther 2:21

Bigthan] Or, Bigthana, chap. 6. 2.

the door] Heb. the threshold.

sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus] Meaning to kill him, 1 Samuel 24:6. and 1 Samuel 26:9.

Esther 2:23

in the books of the chronicles] In the chronicles of the Medes and Persians, chap. 10. 2.

before the king] Either it was written while the king was there, or in the book which used to lie before the king, for him to read in.