Esther 4
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Chapter 4
Chapter Overview:
Verses:
The Jews fast and mourn, ver. 1 - 3.
Esther is informed of the design, ver. 4 - 9,
Mordecai presses her to intercede with the king, ver. 10 - 14.
She desires all the Jews to keep a solemn fast, ver. 15 - 19.
| 4:1 | Cry - To express his deep sense of the mischief coming upon his people. It was bravely done, thus publickly to espouse a just cause though it seemed to be a desperate one. |
| 4:2 | Sackcloth - Lest it should give the king any occasion of grief and trouble. But what availed, to keep out the badges of sorrow unless they could have kept out the causes of sorrow too? To forbid sackcloth to enter unless they could likewise forbid sickness, and trouble, and death? |
| 4:4 | To clothe - That so he might be capable of returning to his former place, if not of coming to her to acquaint her with the cause of his sorrow. |
| 4:11 | Inner court - Within which, the king's residence and throne was.Not called - This was decreed, to maintain both the majesty, and the safety of the king's person; and by the contrivance of the greater officers of state, that few or none might have access to the king but themselves and their friends. I have not been called, &c. - Which gives me just cause to fear that the king's affections are alienated from me, and that neither my person nor petition will be acceptable to him. |
| 4:14 | From another place - This was the language of strong faith, against hope believing in hope. Who knoweth - It is probable God hath raised thee to this honour for this very season. We should every one of us consider, for what end God has put us in the place where we are?And when an opportunity offers of serving God and our generation, we must take care not to let it slip. |
| 4:16 | Fast - And pray; so as you use to do, leave off your common dinners by day, and suppers at night, and eat and drink no more than mere necessity requires; that so you may give yourselves to constant and fervent prayers. Maidens - Which she had chosen to attend upon her person, and were doubtless either of the Jewish nation, or Proselytes.Which is not, &c. - Which may belong, either
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