King James Version
Esther 6
14 verses with commentary
Mordecai Honored
On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles ; and they were read before the king. could: Heb. the king's sleep fled away
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KJV Study Commentary
Sleepless night: <strong>'On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king'</strong>. The king's insomnia on the precise night needed for Mordecai's honor and Haman's exposure demonstrates God's providence. That he chose to read chronicles (rather than entertainment) and that they read specifically the accou...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
VI.
(1) **Could not the king sleep.**—Literally, *the king's sleep fled away.* Here, in the most striking way in the whole book, the workings of God’s providence on behalf of His people are shown. “God Himself is here, though His name be absent.” The king’s sleepless night falls after the day when Haman has resolved to ask on the morrow for Mordecai’s execution, a foretaste of the richer vengeance...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 6
Chapter Outline
Sanballat's plot to hinder Nehemiah.(1-9)
False prophets try to frighten Nehemiah.(10-14)
The wall finished, Treachery of some among the Jews.(15-19)
**Verses 1-9**
Let those who are tempted to idle merry meetings by vain companions, thus answer the temptation, We have work to do, and must not neglect it. We must never suffer ourselves to be overcome...
Read full commentary →And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. Bigthana: or, Bigthan door: Heb. threshold
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.</strong> As the chronicles were read to the sleepless king (v. 1), they came to the account of Mordecai's exposure of the assassination plot (2:21-23). The passive voice "it was found written" emphasizes providential...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **It was found written.**—See Esther 2:21-23.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 4 Ne 4:1-6. While the Enemies Scoff, Nehemiah Prays to God, and Continues the Work.
**1. when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth--**The Samaritan faction showed their bitter animosity to the Jews on discovering the systematic design of refortifying Jerusalem. Their opposition was confined at first to scoffs and insults, in heaping which the governors made themselves co...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 6
Chapter Outline
Sanballat's plot to hinder Nehemiah.(1-9)
False prophets try to frighten Nehemiah.(10-14)
The wall finished, Treachery of some among the Jews.(15-19)
**Verses 1-9**
Let those who are tempted to idle merry meetings by vain companions, thus answer the temptation, We have work to do, and must not neglect it. We must never suffer ourselves to be overcome...
Read full commentary →And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.</strong> Ahasuerus asked what reward Mordecai received, and the servants confirmed he received nothing. The question implies royal expectation that life-saving service should be rewarded. The servants' answer "There is nothin...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **What honour and dignity hath been done.**—The names of those who were thought worthy of being accounted “royal benefactors” were enrolled on a special list, and they were supposed to be suitably rewarded, though not necessarily at the time. The reward however was. in theory at any rate, a thing to which the “benefactor” had a distinct claim, and an almost legal right.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 6
Chapter Outline
Sanballat's plot to hinder Nehemiah.(1-9)
False prophets try to frighten Nehemiah.(10-14)
The wall finished, Treachery of some among the Jews.(15-19)
**Verses 1-9**
Let those who are tempted to idle merry meetings by vain companions, thus answer the temptation, We have work to do, and must not neglect it. We must never suffer ourselves to be overcome...
Read full commentary →And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.</strong> Perfect timing creates dramatic irony: just as the king wants to honor Mordecai, Haman arrives to request his execution. The narrative emphasizes simultaneity—the king asks "who is in the court?"...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Haman was** **come.**—It being at length morning, Haman had come to the palace in due course, and was waiting in the outer court till the king should call for him. The king in the inner court ponders what recompense to bestow upon Mordecai, Haman in the outer court stands ready primed with a request that he may be hanged.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3. if a fox go up--**The foxes were mentioned because they were known to infest in great numbers the ruined and desolate places in the mount and city of Zion (La 5:18).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 6
Chapter Outline
Sanballat's plot to hinder Nehemiah.(1-9)
False prophets try to frighten Nehemiah.(10-14)
The wall finished, Treachery of some among the Jews.(15-19)
**Verses 1-9**
Let those who are tempted to idle merry meetings by vain companions, thus answer the temptation, We have work to do, and must not neglect it. We must never suffer ourselves to be overcome...
Read full commentary →And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.</strong> This verse captures one of Scripture's most dramatic ironies. Haman arrives at the palace early in the morning (<em>mashkim</em>, מַשְׁכִּים, suggesting eager haste) intending to request permission to hang Mordecai on the gallows he had just constructed (5:14). The phras...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4-5. Hear, O our God; for we are despised--**The imprecations invoked here may seem harsh, cruel, and vindictive; but it must be remembered that Nehemiah and his friends regarded those Samaritan leaders as enemies to the cause of God and His people, and therefore as deserving to be visited with heavy judgments. The prayer, therefore, is to be considered as emanating from hearts in which neither ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 6
Chapter Outline
Sanballat's plot to hinder Nehemiah.(1-9)
False prophets try to frighten Nehemiah.(10-14)
The wall finished, Treachery of some among the Jews.(15-19)
**Verses 1-9**
Let those who are tempted to idle merry meetings by vain companions, thus answer the temptation, We have work to do, and must not neglect it. We must never suffer ourselves to be overcome...
Read full commentary →So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself? whom the king: Heb. in whose honour the king delighteth
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour?</strong> The Hebrew <em>chafetz</em> (חָפֵץ) means "to delight in, take pleasure in," revealing royal favor. Haman enters expecting reward, but God's providence orchestrates a devastating reversal.<br><br><strong>Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Whom the king delighteth** **. . .**—Literally, *in whose honour the hing delighteth.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4-5. Hear, O our God; for we are despised--**The imprecations invoked here may seem harsh, cruel, and vindictive; but it must be remembered that Nehemiah and his friends regarded those Samaritan leaders as enemies to the cause of God and His people, and therefore as deserving to be visited with heavy judgments. The prayer, therefore, is to be considered as emanating from hearts in which neither ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 6
Chapter Outline
Sanballat's plot to hinder Nehemiah.(1-9)
False prophets try to frighten Nehemiah.(10-14)
The wall finished, Treachery of some among the Jews.(15-19)
**Verses 1-9**
Let those who are tempted to idle merry meetings by vain companions, thus answer the temptation, We have work to do, and must not neglect it. We must never suffer ourselves to be overcome...
Read full commentary →And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, whom the king: Heb. in whose honour the king delighteth
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,</strong> Haman begins his response with the exact phrase the king used, creating dramatic tension. The threefold repetition of "whom the king delighteth to honour" (verses 6, 7, 9, 11) emphasizes the reversal theme. The Hebrew construction with the participle "delighteth" (<em>chafetz</em>, חָפֵץ) indicates ongoin...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof--**The whole circuit of the wall had been distributed in sections to various companies of the people, and was completed to the half of the intended height.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 6
Chapter Outline
Sanballat's plot to hinder Nehemiah.(1-9)
False prophets try to frighten Nehemiah.(10-14)
The wall finished, Treachery of some among the Jews.(15-19)
**Verses 1-9**
Let those who are tempted to idle merry meetings by vain companions, thus answer the temptation, We have work to do, and must not neglect it. We must never suffer ourselves to be overcome...
Read full commentary →Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head: Let: Heb. Let them bring the royal apparel which the king: Heb. wherewith the king clotheth himself
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear,</strong> The Hebrew <em>levush malkhut</em> (לְבוּשׁ מַלְכוּת) means literally "clothing of kingship"—garments reserved exclusively for the monarch. Haman proposes that the honored person wear the king's own clothes, an extraordinary privilege suggesting virtual equality with the monarch. Persian law made unauthorized wearing o...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Let the royal apparel be brought** **. . .**—These exceedingly great distinctions Haman suggests, thinking with unaccountable vanity (for nothing is said or implied as to any service rendered by him to the king) that the king must necessarily have been referring to him, and in a moment he is irretrievably committed. Whether Hainan’s character had at its best estate much discretion, or whethe...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ne 4:7-23. He Sets a Watch.
**7-21. But ... when Sanballat ... heard that the walls ... were made up, and ... the breaches ... stopped--**The rapid progress of the fortifications, despite all their predictions to the contrary, goaded the Samaritans to frenzy. So they, dreading danger from the growing greatness of the Jews, formed a conspiracy to surprise them, demolish their works, and disperse o...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 6
Chapter Outline
Sanballat's plot to hinder Nehemiah.(1-9)
False prophets try to frighten Nehemiah.(10-14)
The wall finished, Treachery of some among the Jews.(15-19)
**Verses 1-9**
Let those who are tempted to idle merry meetings by vain companions, thus answer the temptation, We have work to do, and must not neglect it. We must never suffer ourselves to be overcome...
Read full commentary →And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour. bring: Heb. cause him to ride
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes,</strong> Haman envisions one of the empire's highest officials (<em>sarei hamelekh</em>, שָׂרֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ, "princes of the king") serving as his attendant. The role reversal Haman imagines—a noble prince attending him—will become crushing reality when he himself must serve Mordecai.<br><br><str...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **Noble.**—See above, Esther 1:3, Note.
**Street.**—See above, Esther 4:6, Note.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ne 4:7-23. He Sets a Watch.
**7-21. But ... when Sanballat ... heard that the walls ... were made up, and ... the breaches ... stopped--**The rapid progress of the fortifications, despite all their predictions to the contrary, goaded the Samaritans to frenzy. So they, dreading danger from the growing greatness of the Jews, formed a conspiracy to surprise them, demolish their works, and disperse o...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 6
Chapter Outline
Sanballat's plot to hinder Nehemiah.(1-9)
False prophets try to frighten Nehemiah.(10-14)
The wall finished, Treachery of some among the Jews.(15-19)
**Verses 1-9**
Let those who are tempted to idle merry meetings by vain companions, thus answer the temptation, We have work to do, and must not neglect it. We must never suffer ourselves to be overcome...
Read full commentary →Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken. let: Heb. suffer not a whit to fall
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.</strong> The revelation stuns: the king commands Haman to honor not Haman himself but "Mordecai the Jew"—Haman's personal enemy whom he came to request permission to execute. The i...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **The Jew.**—Mordecai’s nationality would doubtless be given in the book of records. Thus Esther, in urging her petition by-and-by, has already on her side the king’s good-will to one prominent member of the proscribed race.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ne 4:7-23. He Sets a Watch.
**7-21. But ... when Sanballat ... heard that the walls ... were made up, and ... the breaches ... stopped--**The rapid progress of the fortifications, despite all their predictions to the contrary, goaded the Samaritans to frenzy. So they, dreading danger from the growing greatness of the Jews, formed a conspiracy to surprise them, demolish their works, and disperse o...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-14**
The greatest mischief our enemies can do us, is, to frighten us from our duty, and to lead us to do what is sinful. Let us never decline a good work, never do a bad one. We ought to try all advice, and to reject what is contrary to the word of God. Every man should study to be consistent. Should I, a professed Christian, called to be a saint, a child of God, a member of Christ...
Read full commentary →Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.</strong> Haman executed the very honor ceremony he had designed for himself, instead bestowing it on his mortal enemy. The verse emphasizes Haman's personal involvement...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **Then took Haman** **. . .**—It would be a grim and curious study to analyse Hainan’s feelings at this juncture. Various thoughts were mingled there. Self-reproach, perhaps, that he had so thoughtlessly been the cause of the present display, bitter hatred of his rival now multiplied a thousandfold, and the evident knowledge that the game was played out, and that he was ruined. The more subtl...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ne 4:7-23. He Sets a Watch.
**7-21. But ... when Sanballat ... heard that the walls ... were made up, and ... the breaches ... stopped--**The rapid progress of the fortifications, despite all their predictions to the contrary, goaded the Samaritans to frenzy. So they, dreading danger from the growing greatness of the Jews, formed a conspiracy to surprise them, demolish their works, and disperse o...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-14**
The greatest mischief our enemies can do us, is, to frighten us from our duty, and to lead us to do what is sinful. Let us never decline a good work, never do a bad one. We ought to try all advice, and to reject what is contrary to the word of God. Every man should study to be consistent. Should I, a professed Christian, called to be a saint, a child of God, a member of Christ...
Read full commentary →And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Mordecai came again to the king's gate: but Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.</strong> After the honor ceremony, Mordecai returned to his normal position at the king's gate—unchanged by sudden exaltation. Meanwhile, Haman fled home in mourning with head covered (traditional sign of shame and grief). The contrast is striking: Mordecai, just publicly honore...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **Mordecai came again to the king’s gate.**—He had received his reward, and to the Eastern, who sees continually the Vizier and the poor man exchange places, there would be nothing startling in this resumption of the former humble post.
**His head covered.**—In token of mourning.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ne 4:7-23. He Sets a Watch.
**7-21. But ... when Sanballat ... heard that the walls ... were made up, and ... the breaches ... stopped--**The rapid progress of the fortifications, despite all their predictions to the contrary, goaded the Samaritans to frenzy. So they, dreading danger from the growing greatness of the Jews, formed a conspiracy to surprise them, demolish their works, and disperse o...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-14**
The greatest mischief our enemies can do us, is, to frighten us from our duty, and to lead us to do what is sinful. Let us never decline a good work, never do a bad one. We ought to try all advice, and to reject what is contrary to the word of God. Every man should study to be consistent. Should I, a professed Christian, called to be a saint, a child of God, a member of Christ...
Read full commentary →And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.</strong> Haman reported his humiliation to wife and friends who had advised building the gallows (5:14). T...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **Told.**—The same word as on a former occasion. Esther 5:11. Then the tale was one of boastful pride in what he had, and no less boastful pride in what he hoped to be; now it is of bitter disappointment and bitter anticipation, not brightened by any of the thoughts which blunt the keenness of many a sorrow, as when men have nobly done their duty, though it is not God’s will that their effort...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ne 4:7-23. He Sets a Watch.
**7-21. But ... when Sanballat ... heard that the walls ... were made up, and ... the breaches ... stopped--**The rapid progress of the fortifications, despite all their predictions to the contrary, goaded the Samaritans to frenzy. So they, dreading danger from the growing greatness of the Jews, formed a conspiracy to surprise them, demolish their works, and disperse o...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-14**
The greatest mischief our enemies can do us, is, to frighten us from our duty, and to lead us to do what is sinful. Let us never decline a good work, never do a bad one. We ought to try all advice, and to reject what is contrary to the word of God. Every man should study to be consistent. Should I, a professed Christian, called to be a saint, a child of God, a member of Christ...
Read full commentary →And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.</strong> Divine timing creates dramatic irony: while Haman's wife and friends counsel despair based on Mordecai's Jewish identity, royal servants interrupt to summon him to Esther's feast. The verb "hasted" (Hebrew <em>vayavhilu</em>, וַיַּבְהִלוּ) me...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ne 4:7-23. He Sets a Watch.
**7-21. But ... when Sanballat ... heard that the walls ... were made up, and ... the breaches ... stopped--**The rapid progress of the fortifications, despite all their predictions to the contrary, goaded the Samaritans to frenzy. So they, dreading danger from the growing greatness of the Jews, formed a conspiracy to surprise them, demolish their works, and disperse o...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-14**
The greatest mischief our enemies can do us, is, to frighten us from our duty, and to lead us to do what is sinful. Let us never decline a good work, never do a bad one. We ought to try all advice, and to reject what is contrary to the word of God. Every man should study to be consistent. Should I, a professed Christian, called to be a saint, a child of God, a member of Christ...
Read full commentary →