The Pulpit Commentary on Esther 3:15

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The posts went out, being hastened. Though there was ample time, since the remotest part of the empire could be reached in a month, or two at the most, yet the posts were "hastened," Haman being impatient, lest the king should change his mind, and decline to publish the edict. The king may himself also have wished to have the matter settled past recall. The king sat down with Haman to drink. This touch seems intended to mark their hardness of heart. As Nero "fiddled while Rome was burning," so these two, having assigned a nation to destruction, proceeded to enjoy themselves at "a banquet of wine." But the city of Susa was perplexed. The Jews had enemies in Susa (Esther 9:12-15); but the bulk of the inhabitants being Persians, and so Zoroastrians, would be likely to sympathise with them. There might also be a widespread feeling among persons of other nationalities that the precedent now set was a dangerous one. Generally the people of the capital approved and applauded what. ever the great king did. Now they misdoubted the justice, and perhaps even the prudence, of what was resolved upon. The decree threw them into perplexity.

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Matthew Henry on Esther 3:7-15Esther 3:7-15 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryWithout some acquaintance with the human heart, and the history of mankind, we should not think that any prince could consent to a dreadful proposal, so hurtful to himself. Let us be thankful for mild and just governmen…Haman Obtains Leave to Slay the Jews. (b. c. 510.)Esther 3:7-15 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleHAMAN OBTAINS LEAVE TO SLAY THE JEWS. (B. C. 510.) Haman values himself upon that bold and daring thought, which he fancied well became his great spirit, of destroying all the Jews—an undertaking worthy of its author, a…The Pulpit Commentary on Esther 3:7-15Esther 3:7-15 · The Pulpit CommentarySuperstition and cynicism. Haman now proceeds to carry out the terrible plan of revenge on which he had resolved. Some important steps had to be taken before he could reach his end. These seem to us strange and incongru…The Pulpit Commentary on Esther 3:7-15Esther 3:7-15 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION HAMAN CASTS LOTS TO OBTAIN A LUCKY DAY FOR HIS ENTERPRISE, AND OBTAINS A DAY IN THE MONTH ADAR, THE LAST MONTH OF THE YEAR (Esther 3:7). Having determined on a general massacre of the Jews on a given day, as…The Pulpit Commentary on Esther 3:8-15Esther 3:8-15 · The Pulpit CommentaryHAMAN PERSUADES AHASUERUS TO PUBLISH A DECREE COMMANDING THE DESTRUCTION OF ALL THE JEWS IN HIS KINGDOM ON THE ENSUING THIRTEENTH DAY OF ADAR (Esther 3:8-15). Having formed his own resolve, it remained for Haman to brin…The Pulpit Commentary on Esther 3:12-15Esther 3:12-15 · The Pulpit CommentaryHeartless counsels of destruction. History records many massacres, and the record is among the saddest and most sickening chapters of human annals. Most of these massacres have arisen from political fears and jealousies…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Esther 3:7-15Without some acquaintance with the human heart, and the history of mankind, we should not think that any prince could consent to a dreadful proposal, so hurtful to himself. Let us be thankful for mild and just governmen…Matthew Henry commentaryHaman Obtains Leave to Slay the Jews. (b. c. 510.)HAMAN OBTAINS LEAVE TO SLAY THE JEWS. (B. C. 510.) Haman values himself upon that bold and daring thought, which he fancied well became his great spirit, of destroying all the Jews—an undertaking worthy of its author, a…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Esther 3:7-15EXPOSITION HAMAN CASTS LOTS TO OBTAIN A LUCKY DAY FOR HIS ENTERPRISE, AND OBTAINS A DAY IN THE MONTH ADAR, THE LAST MONTH OF THE YEAR (Esther 3:7). Having determined on a general massacre of the Jews on a given day, as…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Esther 3:7-15Superstition and cynicism. Haman now proceeds to carry out the terrible plan of revenge on which he had resolved. Some important steps had to be taken before he could reach his end. These seem to us strange and incongru…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Esther 3:8-15HAMAN PERSUADES AHASUERUS TO PUBLISH A DECREE COMMANDING THE DESTRUCTION OF ALL THE JEWS IN HIS KINGDOM ON THE ENSUING THIRTEENTH DAY OF ADAR (Esther 3:8-15). Having formed his own resolve, it remained for Haman to brin…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Esther 3:12-15Heartless counsels of destruction. History records many massacres, and the record is among the saddest and most sickening chapters of human annals. Most of these massacres have arisen from political fears and jealousies…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Esther 3:15Festivity within; perplexity without. The contrast here is striking in itself, and all the more so from the brevity and simplicity of the language in which it is depicted. I. REMARK THE MIRTH AND FEASTING WITHIN THE PAL…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Esther 3:15Life contrasts. "And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed." Here is indeed a pair of pictures to look at—the subjects very different. They are not a pair of pastoral scenes, nor of fa…Joseph S. Exell and contributors