PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Pulpit Commentary — Esther
George Rawlinson [1812-1902] · 149,992 words · 169 reading sections
The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 1
THE PULPIT COMMENTARY, EDITED DY THI! VERY REV. H. D. M. SPENCE, D.D. DEAN 011' GLOUOBSTBB j AND DY THE REV. JOSEPH S. EXELL, M.A. ESTHER. ~rp.asifion: Bv REV. GEORGE RAWLINSON, M.A., CAIIIDBl'-' J'ROJ'B&SOB OF ANOIBNT HIST011.Y IN THE UNl'VmlSITY 011' OXFORD; AND OANON OF CANTERBURY. Jomiletics EY REV. PR…
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Ahe.suerua' establishing o. now an-angement of the tribute, and of ]\,forrlec:ii'~ gro9.tness o.ml favour, both with tho king and with his own nl\tion, the BfJok closes (eh. x. ). § 2. DATE OF ITS COMPOSITION. In ordar to determine (approximately) the date of the composition ot 'Esther,' it is necessary, in the fust …
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long resident in Persia ; and be must have had some special facilities (besides access to the Persian archives) for obtaining exact information on the secret and delicate matters which form an essential part of his history. Probably he was a younger contemporary of Mordecai's, and an intimate acquaintance-one who had w…
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following a strictly chronological order, eschewing digressions, and of a single uniform tenor. The style has been called "remarkably chaste and simple."• It is certainly simple, presenting few difficulties of construction, and scarcely any ambiguities; but its purity may be questioned, at any rate, so far as the vocab…
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book of the ohronicles read to him, and finds that Mordecai has received no rew;trd. He makes Haman suggest the fitting reward for one whom the king delights to honour, and then deputes him to confer it on Mordecai. Section 12 (eh. v1. 12-14). Despondency of Haman, his wife, and friends at this turn in hie fortunes. '…
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medinah (Ezra ii. l ; Neh. xi. 3), though not suppose that the same fersons were enter- OD lr a small part of the satrapy of Syria. tained during ths whole o this period. All 'or. 2.-The throne ofhia kin§'dom, which the l?rovincial governors could not quit their we.e in Shushan. Though the I ersian court provinces a…
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of golcl. Drinking-vessels of gold were of compelling men to drink. That th"' found iu considerable nurrwers in the Persian Persians were hard drinkers, and freq nently camp near Platmo. (Herod., ix. 80) when the drank to excess, is stated by Herodotus (i. Greaks took it. They hacl been the property 133) and Xenophon (…
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the extent of dominion, the character, all correspond with this hypothesis. Ob- serve- I. THE EXTENT OF THE KING'S SWAY. The Persian was one of the great empires of the world. The monarch ruled from India to Ethiopia. The provinces of his dominion were in number 127. Two or three centunes ago, commentators com- pa…
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III. GllEAT ENTERTAINMENTS MAY BE AN OCCASION FOB FORGETTING, RATHER THAN FOR REMEMBERING, Goo, THE GIVER OF ALL. When we sit at Heaven's table we should give Heaven thanks. Some of the great banquets mentioned in the Scripture!! were occasions for ostentation and for carousing, and this seems to be no exception. The b…
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contra;r, be was_anima~ed onJy with the vainglorious wis~1 of exhibiting to the world "the nches of his glor1ous kmgdom, and the honour of his excellent majesty." And he could think of no better way of gratifying this wish than by making an extrava- fl'ant_ feast. Do!1~tlese there was poverty, ~nd wretchedness, and …
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opposition I The circumstances of most men, however, are more or less favourahle to their advo.ncement, and to make the most of them is not only allowable, hut a positive duty. 3 . .A. desire to benefit the world. The beet ambition is that which 1e furthest removed from self. The men who will be held in everlasting rem…
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con~cience, mind, and heart enlightened at the feet of him who said, "Learn of me for I am meek and lowly in he1trt." Best gifts and possessions, and truest springs of bonc>ur and happiness, in Jesus. Study his truth, his spirit, his life, 1md our 1dolntries of earthly good will shame us, and make us wonder how men wit…
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walle had been hung with rich stuffs, and with a canopy of white, green and blue fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to "silver rings and pillars of marble.,: The couches on which they reclined were covered with cloth of gold interwoven with "gold and silver." Crowds trod the tesselated pavement, or lounged on…
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small, and it lasted seven days. The close of the six months' feasting· with the nobles and governors, at which imperial affairs were probably discussed, was to be celebrated by u great flourish of kingly magnificence. The banquet to the capital was evidently the climax and crown of the rejoicings. 2. Special arrang…
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between m,m, the tranegreeeor, and God, the Redeemer. The faith which snbmits ,ill to God in Christ is an emptying of self, and a putting on of the "Holy and Just One," who was " meek and lowly in heart." God is therefore dishonoured, his truth re- sisted, and hie mercy despised, when men who confess hie name become " …
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Ver. 9.-Theposi,tion ofw<YfTl,ffl,. A noticeable feature of the king's banquet was that even the women were not excluded from participation in the festivities. In the court of the garden the king entertained only men. But inside the palace Queen Vashti me.de e. feast for the women. I. A PICTURE OF QUEENLY DUTY. Ae …
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Vere. 1-9.-The royal/east. We have in the opening chapter of this Book of Esther the description of a royal feast; it may remind us of two other feasts to which we of this land and age, and they of every clime and century, are invited guests. I. THE FEAST OF' THE KING OF' PERSIA. "It came to pass in the days of Ahasu…
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friend~, the fea~t of pure a~e~tion. Of this feast of th~ ~ord of nature we mny say t~at, hke that m the text, 1t 1s one of regal bounty ; 1t 1s the constant and lavish kmdnes~ of a King; that, unlike that in the text, there is more of ltindness than ?s!entati?n in ~t-a " hiding of_ power" (Hab. iii: 4~ rather than …
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II. THERE WAB BEYOND DOUBT A DISTINCTLY AND DECIDEDLY UTILITARIAN DESIGN ABOUT THE FEAST. Though it could not be returned in kind, it could be recompensed. At recompense it aimed, o.nd without the prospect of such recompense it would never have been "m11de." It was pre-eminently o. banquet of policy, unwarmed by one ~i…
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e.nd assented to by the remainder (ver. 21), confirmed_ by the judgment of others. Ce.n- that VR.shti should be degraded from 'l\"llB, daules, kmg of Lydia, is said to have lost the position of qutien, and her pince given his crown and his life through imprudently to another. This sentence was supported indulging thi…
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pdma), who was his unclo (Horod., vii. Ver. 18. - The ladies. Rather "the 6-17). It is possible that Mardonius may princesses." Translate the whole pa;sage a,.~ be here represented by Marsena, nnd Arta- follows:-" Likewise shall the princesses of banus by Admatha ; but the nnmes could Persia and Media, which have hearr…
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HOMILETICS. Ven;. 9-11. -Queen Vashti. It wonld seem that the character of Vashti has been by many writers darkened in order to bring out the brightness of Estlrnr's virtues. But jt is not fair to m~ke one queen simply the foil to the other. Haughty, dis- obedient, defiant, Vashti may have been, but she was placed …
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with death. The wish of Ahaeuerue was thwarted by a woman, and that woman his wife. He was not accustomed to meet with opposition or resistance to his will, and could ill brook hie consort's disobedience. Circumstances heightened his anger. He had boasted of his wife's beaut:, and complaisance, and now, in the presence…
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Vere. ·13-20.-Counsel. The kmg of Persia had two bad counsellors wine and anger.. It showed so?le degree of comID:on-sense_ on ~i~ part that, instead of ucting upon impulse, he waited to ask the advice of his numsters, those privileged and trusted Ill:en who ~ere neare9! ~o. the thro_ne. If they had_ advised him wel…
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exercise will make him tremble to think of the responsibility under which he lies for his own influence over his fellow-creatures. III. THE POWER OF EXAMPLE IS ENHANCED BY EIIGH STATION. Vashti was a queen, and what she did was known to multitudes, and was influential, more or less, over all who knew it. A queen sets …
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Ver. 10.-A dritnkm deui,ce. I. Drunkenness leads to further POLLY. 11 When the wine i11 in the wit is out," is always true. The Persian monarch yielded to the allurements of the cup, and was betrayed into a stupid act. He desired to exhibit the beauty of hie queen to a miscellaneous crowd. He had already shown nearl…
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Ver. 14.-Privileged persons. "Seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and sat first in the kingdom." It has always been the custom of kings to surround themselves with those who should be able to help or advise, or be the media of transmitting their desires or decrees to the people. These officer…
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Vers. 10-12.-A noble womanly refusal. We know from actual history literally nothing of Vashti, except her name, and what is written of her in the present con- nection. But it is evident that she could not have been me,rely one of the inferior wives of the Eastern Icing, although this has been suggested. She is not o…
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detmction, of artificial forebodings that magnify themselves alike so monstrously o.nd so soccessfully. Correspondingly noble and impressive was this woman's effort, whose "No," though she sank because of it, crashed through all the forces that environed her, and its report resounded through a kingdom. The effort, t…
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Vers. 16-22. -The parody of legislature. If any be tempted at first to think of the king's conferences ( as here reported) with those whom we will call his statesmen as though they were scarcely serious and in eamest,-fortunate to be carried on within the protection of closed doors ; the monarch, in fact, secretly s…
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Vere. 10-12.-The tyrant-slave. Distance frequently gives us exaggerated notions of greatness, while closer intimacy would speedily dispel the illusion. To the best part of the known world the name of Ahasuerus was associated with unrestrained power, but. this passage reveals his real position. Extremes meet; an absolut…
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preceding in that it is confined to no favoured class. A man may have a most humble origin, and yet through industry and perseverance may become a millionnaire. 3. The greatness of genius. This is the gift of God. It resembles that of position, in that men are born into it; but it also resembles that of wealth, in th…
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It iR most timid and craven when it assumes the loudest bravery, Its bristling feRthers of authority ere often the signs of an inward distrust. Conscious rectitude of purpose and action is the true spring of courage. A hem that is pure in its nffections and intents is bold and strong in all circumstances. It is an evi…
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violation of custom. We know the seclusion in which Ea.stem women then, as now, lived. It was a shame to a woman to appear unveiled before any man except her husband. Vashti would be staggered when she received the message of the chamber- lains. National or social customs may be bad, but they cannot be safely or wis…
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Men naturally expect a special readiness of sympathy and co-operation from those v.:~o are united to them by blood or family ties. And resentment caused by oppo• s1tion from such relations as wife or children often assumes a peculiar intensity. But weak and eelf-willed minds are apt to abuse these ties by exacting m…
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Ver. 13.-Motives of self-restraint. If the anger which burned in the king had issued in a determination to put the disobedient Vashti to death, his will would have been obeyed, and his example would not have been singular. History affords many instances of the sacrifice of wives by despotic kings under the influence of…
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la~ and embodied wisdom of a nation. . As civilisation advances in communities, !heir laws beco_me at the_ same time more Just an_d 1!'ore humane, and they acquire mhe~nt force m proportion as f:bey re~~~t the pnnc1ples of truth and right. Bad laws imply '." low moral and soC1al cono1t1on, and can only secure obedie…
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may be deeply concerned in conduct which we treat lightly, and therefore heedlessly pursue. A thoughtful consideration of our responsibility to God and our neighbour for our actions and _their results "'.ould make us welcome the light of a kindly counsel, by whomsoever given. Especially should those who occupy positio…
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senate, or cabi~et. If any body of counsellom could lay just claim to it, then the safety of a perfect w1Bdom and truth would be the necessary result. Nothing could resist its power. This condition, however, being impossible, we must resort to the alternative aBsumption, viz., that the counsellors are-2. All free. I…
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11 cnpncity to discern it, may be accompanied by an utter want of active and deter- !11ined will: Then.counsel will become.uncertain; honest t~oughta will grow timorous m expression ; dishonest thoughts will grow bold. An irresolute will favours the solicitude of bad guides. As there is a Divine Counsellor, so there is…
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SoN OF Goo. The more fully we regulate our conduct by the spirit of hie life, the more influential for good will be our own life-example (eee Matt. xvi. 24; John xiii. 16; 1 Pet. ii. 21).-D. Ver. 19.-Penalties. In connection with the penalty imposed on Vashti the following remarks may be made:- 1. PENALTIES ARE INT…
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Ahasuerus embro.ced it nt once (ver. 4), end "young virgins fair to look on" (see eh. L orders were given nccordingly. The quest 11). began, and among other maidens selected by Ver. 3.-The hou1e of the women. In an Oriental palace tho women's apartments are the officials ae worthy of the royal consider- always distinc…
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with "Atossa," and "Esther" with "Ames- Ver. 10. -Either had not showed her tris;" but there is probably no more ground people. To have confessed that she was 11 for the one identification than the other. Jewess would probably he.ve roused a preju• Mord,cai's cousin received originally the dice against her, or at an…
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1, I j Grecian expedition defeated and disgraced. He was glo.d to dismiss warlike matters from Jll.11' Abi 10.il his thoughts, and to console himself for his failure by the pleasures of the seraglio. Morlecai Est~er Ver. 17.-Above all the women. I. e. Who had taken her for his daughter (see "above all his former …
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bene:volent, and deserving girl wtts raised from an obscure position to one of eminence and influence. 2. And this policy wa11 indirectly overruled for the deliverance of a nation. Vashti wae deposed ; Esther was raised to power; Mordecai was enabled to ?ommunicate with the throne ; Haman ~as ~efea!ed a~d disgraced …
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of those with whom she was brought into contact. Simple, unexacting, compliant, she won nil hearts. Ill. WI!l'ELY A!l'!l'ECTION AND DEVOTION, Esther rapidly gained influence over the king, who raised her to share his throne. She evidently gained her position and influence not by haughtiness and arrogance, but by amiab…
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There can be no question more momentous for each hearer of the gospel than this "Am I a child of God through faith in Christ Jesus?" Yer. 10.-Reserve and reticence. Both when residing in the king's house, under the custody of Hegai, the keeper of the women, and afterwards, when promoted to ~e quee_n, Esther conceal…
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indifferent and ungrateful for the service of friendly regard and kindly watchful- ness? Thie is a sin, indeed, of which they cannot too soon repent. By the prayers offered for you, and the tender watchfulness of which you are the objectH, I entreat you to follow the ways of wisdom, which are ways of pleasantness and p…
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recollert~on of former 11ssociates, oarry with them into '.llew positions the ancient symi:i~th1es. even enlarged and refined 1 and, above all, retain the sweet grace of hum1hty. Esther forgot not the friena of her youth, forgot not the people from whom she had received her knowledge of the true God. And she demeane…
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subject of memory's visitations. We may make a distinction between memory's visits and its visitation. The former often swaet and often welcome, even when most touched with the spirit of sadness; but the latter heralding for the most part reproof, remorse, and the retributive. Let us observe-- I. How MEMORY MAY DE HEL…
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Ver. 4.-The 'l)erdict of pleasure an untrustworthy basis of a.ction. If wisdom and goodness sometimes make all profit they can by embracing opportunity, much more often do policy and evil. For the "children of this world are wiser in their genera- tion than the children of light." They most studiously adapt means to…
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king; and he did so.'' Self-pleasure is made the basis of conduct. The thing that pleases is the right. The thing that pleases is to be done. Poor learner, Ahasuerus I He has already forgotten what he was remembering, regretting, only yesterd11y-the hasty thing "which was decreed against Vashti." And that also was at t…
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pure, honest, or merciful. 4. It certainly wati not a crown of imperishable material, of ancestral renown, or that could be reckoned upon to eit easy, or remain long on the he&d that now was to wear it. But amid much to detract from it, there are eome things to be remembered highly to the advantage of this crown. 1…
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Bnd cunning. The restoration of Vashti would have been dangerous to those who counselled her disgrace. The possibility of a change in the king's mind was antici- pated in the decree that could not be altered. Yet such a king, under the prompting of passion, might break through any legal fiction, and therefore it was re…
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like fidelity to her foster-father Mordecai, both before and after her election to the throne. She admired, loved, and trusted him. and submitted as a child to his guidance. Young people dislike restraint, and long for the freedom of independence before they are ready to bear the responsibility of it. They often fre…
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than from a willing and loving heart. On this point observe-1. That nritural light and strength are insufficient. All history and experience teach that when left to himself mnn becomes hard-hearted and cruel in his self-regard. 2. That a Divine revelation of truth with respect to relative and other duties is an unspeak…
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to them afterwards, v.·hen they had berome his concubines (ver. 14) ; the extensive and protracted preparation, or" purification," including everything that could con- duce to bodily comeliness and sensuous gratification, and extending· over an entire year (ver. 12); the introduction to the royal presence after a ch…
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EXPOSITION. § 3. 1 MonDEOAI 8' DIBOOVEnY 01!' A PLOT sitting in the king's gate-now Esther had AOAINST AnASUEnus' LIFE (eh. ii. 19-23). not shoi:ved her kindred or her people, as Some time nfter Esther had been made Mordecai had charged her ; for Esther d irl the command of Mordecai like as when she qneen, there was…
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HOMILETICS. Ver. 20.-Filidz obedunce. Esther was an adopted child. Her debt to Mordecai was "<'ery great, for nurture, care, training, and affection. And she was not forgetful of her obligation ; she gladly repaid the solicitude o:f her cousin by her gratitude, reverential regard, and filial obedience. The habit of …
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HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 20.- Worldly policy. A superficial view might lead to an unqualified admiration of Esther and Mordecai, the principal characters in the scene before us. And not with- out reason, for they exemplify in their conduct some of the nobler qualities of human nature. With regard to Esther, n…
382 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Source page identifies the volume as Public Domain; text extracted from its historical PDF.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.