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 secondary wives, aa the comment on ver. 7). She required well as above all the virgins." The royal nothing, &c. Esther would not trust to the crown. See the comment on eh. i. ll. extraneous and adventitious beauty of dress Ver. 18.-Then the king made a great or ornaments, or at any rate would give her- feast. As Persian kings were in the habit self no trouble about such things. If she of doing on every joyful occasion. Even succeeded, it should be without effort. Hegai Esther'& feast. It seems to be meant that might dress her as he pleased. She left all the feast was one which continued to be to him. Esther obtained favour, &c. Either spoken about, and which was commonly this is intended as a general assertion-" No known under this title. And he made a one could ever see Esther without admiring release to the provinces. As the Pseudo- her and feeling favourably disposed toward~ Smerdis had done when he usurped the her,"-or it has special reference to the par- throne (Herod., iii. 67). A " release " was ticular occasion-" No one who saw Esther an exemption from taxation, or from military on this evening but admired her and felt service, or from both, for a specified period. well disposed towards her." And gave gifts, according to the state of the Ver. 16.-The tenth month, which is the king. Literally, that is, "in right royal month Tebeth. This is the only mention of fashion " (see eh. i. 7). The practice of the month Tebeth in Scripture. It followed making presents, so common in the East at Chisleu, and corresponded to the end of all times, was much in vogue among the December and the earlier part of January. Persians, and was practised especially by the The word seems to have come in from Egypt, monarchs (Herod., i. 136 ; iii. 135 ; vii. 26 ; where the corresponding month was called Xen., 'Cyrop.,' viii. 2, § 7, et seq.; 'Anab.,' Tobi, or Tubi. In the seventh :,ear of his i. 9, § 22, &c.).
HOMILETICS. Vera. 1--4.-Evil counsel overruled. When a king takes counsel of flatterers and favourites, it bodes no g-ood either to himself or to his people. Such parasites think only how they may make their masters' vices the stepping-stones to their own pre- ferment and power. And a king encompassed with adulation, and encouraged to gratify his own passions, is not likely to rule over his subjects with justice or with wisdom. The ministers of .A.hasuerus, in advising him to have his provinces ran- sacked for beautiful girls, to be brought to him for his approval, that from among the multitude he might select a consort to succeed the disobedient Vashti, were animated by a desire to please the voluptuous monarch, and so to strengthen their own position and influence. Yet even counsel so nefarious was overruled by Divine providence for good. I. THIS ADVICE WAS IN ITSELF BAD. Oriental despots were encouraged to lead a life of self-indulgence. Yet the counsel given to .A.hasuerus passed all bounds of decency. 1. It was bad for the king, who was thereby led to think of his own sensual gratification, rather than of the cares of state which properly devolved upon him. 2. It was bad for the young women themselves, all whose thoughts were engrossed by their desire and plans to please the monarch, and who were encouraged to regard themselves in no higher light than as instruments of royal pleasure. 3. It was bad for the population generally ; for the families from amongst whom the maidens were taken to supply the harem of the king, and for the young men who were deprived of wives whose beauty and amiability might assist them in living a virtuous and honour- able life. II. THIS ADVICE WAS NEVERTHELESS OVERRULED FOR GOOD. How apparent is this principle to every thorough student of history, to every careful observer of life I How confirmatory of our belief in a general and particular Providence I 1. The policy in question was directly overruled for the advancement of Esther. .A. virtuollil, 42 TRE BOOK OF ESTHER. [en. n. 1-18.