The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 134

EXPOSITION. §§ 14, 15, 16. relationship, had told that be was her cousin. CHAPTER VIII. Mordecai having been recognised as e. "king's HAMAN's HOUSE GrvEN TO EsTEER, AND benefactor" (eh. vi. 3-11), and Esther hav- TEE :i;;:mo's SIGNET MADE OVER TO MORDECAI ing been forced to confess •herself a. Jewess in order to save her nation (eh. vii. 3, 4), (eh. viii 1, 2). Two consequences followed there was no object in any further conceal- immediately on Haman's execution. His ment. property esches.ting to the crown, Aho.suerus Ver. 2.-And the king took o1f his ring. made the whole of it over to Esther, either The king's signet would, as e. matter of simply as a sign of favour, or in compensation course, be taken from Haman before his execution and restored to Ahasuerus, who of the alarm and suffering which Ha.man had now once more wore it himself. Business, ::a.used her. Further, He.man's office being however, was irksome to him, and, having vacant, and Mordecs.i's close relationship to resolved to make Mordecai minister in Esther having become known to the king, Haman's room, be very soon took the signet he transferred to Mordecai the confidence off again, and made it over to the new vizier. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of which he had been wont to repose in Haman, Haman. It would not have been seemly and gave him the custody of the royal signet. for Esther to give a.way what she had received Under these circumstances Esther placed as a gift from the king. She was therefore Mordecai in charge of the house which hau unable to make Mordecai a present of the been Haman's, as e. suit.able a.bode for a house. But she did what was equivalent-- she set him over it, made him practically minister. its master. Thus he was provided with a Ver. 1.-0n tha.t day did the king ••• residence suitable to his new dignity. give the ho11Be of Haman. When a criminal AT EsTHER'S REQUEST A.HASUERUS ALLOWS was executed, everything that belonged to THE ISSUE OF A SECOND EDICT, PERMl'lTING him became the property of the crown, and TEE JEWS TO RESIST ANY WEO SHOULD was disposed of s.ccording to the king's plea- sure. It pleased .A.hasuerus to_make over to ATTACK THEM, TO KILL THEM IN THEIR OWN 'Esther the house of Haman, with, no doubt, DEFENCE, AND TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THEIR all its contents, attendants, furniture, and GOODS (eh. viii. 3-14). The execution of treasure. The Jews' enemy. This now be- Haman, the confiscation of his property, the comes Haman's ordinary designation (see eh. advancement of Mordecai into his place, ix. 10, 24). Traditional practices have in though of favourable omen, as showing the many places kept up his memory as one of the most hated adversaries of the nation present temper and inclination of Ahasuerus, (see Stanley, 'Lectures on the Jewish Church,'. left the Jews in o.s great danger as before.' Third Series, pp. 177, 178). An~ )lordece.1 In most countries there would neither have came before the king. MordeCB.1 became e. been delay nor difficulty. The edict which high official--0ne of those in constant at- went forth on the 13th of F:san (eh. iii. 12), tendance on the king. For Esther had told wha.t he wu io her. /. e. had revealed his and which could not be executed till the 13th CR. VIII. 1-17.] THE BOOK OF ESTHER. 141