Esther 10

Esther 10:1-3

Chap. Esther 10:1-3. Mordecai’s greatness The connexion of this short chapter with the rest of the Book is obscure. It may be a fragment of some other work, which, owing to its subject-matter, came to be attached to the preceding narrative. On the other hand it may be nothing more than the closing paragraph or postscript of the Book, having for its object to emphasize the power of Ahasuerus, and so to reflect glory on Mordecai. In that case the thought which inspires the chapter is that Ahasuerus, whose prime minister Mordecai was, could command the service of the continent of Asia, and the coast of the Mediterranean.

Esther 10:2

2. in the book of the chronicles] the official records. See on Esther 2:23. The formula may be imitated from the phraseology in 1 Kings 14:19; 1 Kings 14:29 etc. 3 was next unto king Ahasuerus] i.e. was second only to him in point of rank. The same expression is used of a certain Elkanah’s position with respect to Ahaz, king of Judah (2 Chronicles 28:7), and of priests who were second in rank to the high priest, ‘of the second order,’ in 2 Kings 23:4.