The Pulpit Commentary on Esther 9:2-5

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

A reign of terror.

"The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities," etc. There were many greedy to possess the property of the Jews, and such as cherished spite against them, who were glad of the permission to slay and plunder, which Haman's letters gave. When the king's letters which reached the Jews gave them permission to withstand those who opposed, there must have been great perplexity in many minds and fear in many hearts.

I. FOOLISH LAWS BRING ABOUT REIGNS OF TERROR. The foolish consent of the king became law, and then by another absurd law it could not be changed or checked.

II. IN REIGNS OF TERROR THE INNOCENT HAVE TO SUFFER WITH THE GUILTY.

III. IN REIGNS OF TERROR THE GOOD MUST STAND TOGETHER. In the world there is a great fight for goodness, truth, and Christ to be still waged. Anarchy suits the prince of darkness. The Christian is in ever)- sense the friend of order, good government, and righteousness.—H.

Esther 9:27, Esther 9:28

A memorial feast.

"And the Jews ordained and took upon them … that these days should be remembered."

I. The memorial feast was in recognition of a great DELIVERANCE. The deliverance effected by Mordecai and Esther for the Jews, hints at that effected for us by Jesus. There are points of great similarity. The Lord's Supper is not only a feast of love, but in memory of our great deliverance from sin and death.

II. The memorial was ordained READILY. Gratitude led to this. A further object was a desire to stimulate to similar faith in God in further circumstances of trial.

III. The memorial was to be PERPETUAL. How faithfully have the Jews of every age kept that which was "ordained." We should keep that which Jesus instituted. Parents may lay upon their children certain moral obligations, but not now ceremonial burdens. That which they enjoin should be first observed by "themselves."—H.

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Matthew Henry on Esther 9:1-19Esther 9:1-19 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThe enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them by the former edict. If they had attempted nothing against the people of God, they would not themselves have suffered. The Jews, acting together, strengthened one an…The Jews Avenged. (b. c. 509.)Esther 9:1-19 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE JEWS AVENGED. (B. C. 509.) We have here a decisive battle fought between the Jews and their enemies, in which the Jews were victorious. Neither side was surprised; for both had notice of it long enough before, so th…The Pulpit Commentary on Esther 9:1-32Esther 9:1-32 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION RESULT OF THE SECOND EDICT' THE JEWS RESIST THEIR ENEMIES, AND EFFECT A GREAT SLAUGHTER OF THEM, BUT DO NOT LAY HAND ON THEIR GOODS (Esther 9:1-16). The Jews of all the provinces, having had ample time to pre…The Pulpit Commentary on Esther 9:1-16Esther 9:1-16 · The Pulpit CommentaryDeliverance and victory. The history of "the chosen nation" is full of Divine deliverances. The present is only one of the many instances in which, by faith, the Israelites "escaped the edge of the sword, out of weaknes…The Pulpit Commentary on Esther 9:2Esther 9:2 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe Jews gathered themselves together. Acting on the first clause of the edict (Esther 8:11). In their cities. By "their cities" the writer means not cities exclusively Jewish, but cities where Jews formed an element in…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Esther 9:1-19The enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them by the former edict. If they had attempted nothing against the people of God, they would not themselves have suffered. The Jews, acting together, strengthened one an…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Jews Avenged. (b. c. 509.)THE JEWS AVENGED. (B. C. 509.) We have here a decisive battle fought between the Jews and their enemies, in which the Jews were victorious. Neither side was surprised; for both had notice of it long enough before, so th…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Esther 9:1-32EXPOSITION RESULT OF THE SECOND EDICT' THE JEWS RESIST THEIR ENEMIES, AND EFFECT A GREAT SLAUGHTER OF THEM, BUT DO NOT LAY HAND ON THEIR GOODS (Esther 9:1-16). The Jews of all the provinces, having had ample time to pre…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Esther 9:1-16Deliverance and victory. The history of "the chosen nation" is full of Divine deliverances. The present is only one of the many instances in which, by faith, the Israelites "escaped the edge of the sword, out of weaknes…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Esther 9:2The Jews gathered themselves together. Acting on the first clause of the edict (Esther 8:11). In their cities. By "their cities" the writer means not cities exclusively Jewish, but cities where Jews formed an element in…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Esther 9:3All the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies. Compare Esther 3:12 and Esther 8:9, where the same enumeration is made, though not quite in the same order. And officers of the king. Literally, "t…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Esther 9:4Mordecai was great. Compare Esther 8:2, Esther 8:15 and Esther 10:3.Joseph S. Exell and contributors