The Book of ESTHER. B. C. 521. CHAP. I. A. M. 3 15 What shall we do. Heb. What to do 16 Vashti. This reasoning was co and false. Vashti had not generally di the king, therefore she could be no pr the general conduct of the Persian wo Ahasuerus maketh royal feasts, 1-9. Vashti, sent for, refuseth to come, 10-12 Ahasuerus, by the counsel of Memucan, putteth away Vashti, and maketh the decree of men's sovereignty, 13-22. 1 Ahasuerus. PRIDEAUX has shewn satis-disobeyed only in one particular; a factorily that Ahasuerus was the Artaxerres Longimanus of the Greeks, agreeably to the Septuagint and JOSEPHUS. See Note on Ezr. 6.14. Ezr.4.6. Da.9.1. from India. ch.8.9. Is. 18.1.-37.9. an hundred. Da.6.1. Shushan. 2 sat. 2 Sa.7.1. 1 Ki.1.46. Da.4.4. ch.2.3.-3.15.-4.16.-9.12..15. Ne.1.1. Da.8.2. 3 A.M. 3542. B.C. 462. he made, ch.2.18. Ge. 40.20. 1 K1.3.15. Da 5.1. Mar.6.21. of Persia. ver.14. Ezr.1.2. 1s.21.2. Je.51.11. Da.5.28.-8.20. the nobles. Da.3.2,3.-6.1.6,7. the 4 When he. Is.39.2. Eze.28.5. Da.4.30. riches. Ps.76.1..4.-145.5,12.13. Da.2.37.44.-7. 9..14. Mat.4.8.-6.13. Ro.9.23. Ep.1.18. Col 1.27. Re.4.11. excellent. 1 Ch.29.11,12,25. Job 40.10. Ps.21.5-45.3.-93.1. Da.4.36.-5.18. 2 Pe.1.16,17. 5 present. Heb, found. seven days. 2 Ch.7.8, 9.-30.21..25. 6 white. Ex.26.1,31,32,36,37. blue, or, violet. ch.8.15. the beds. These were couches, covered with gold and silver cloth, on which the guests reclined; for the Orientals do not sit, but recline at their meals. ch.7.8. Eze.23.41. Am.2.8. -6.4. red, &c. or, of porphyre, and marble, and alabaster, and stone of blue colour. 7 vessels of gold. 1 Ki.10.21. 2 Ch.9.20. Da.5. 2..4. royal wine. Heh, wine of the kingdom. state of the king. Heb, hand of the king. serve a purpose, Memucan draws intol consequence and the rest came into the sion, being either too intoxicated to be discern right from wrong, or too tet ducing women to a state of vassalage, the present favourable opportunity. Ac.18.14.-25.10. 1 Co.6.7.8. 17 despise. 2 Sa.6.16. Ep.5.33. 18 the ladies. Saroth, the princesa meaning is well expressed by our term 19 it please the king. Heb, the pood king. ver.21. ch.3.9.-8.5. from Am. Pa before him. it be not altered Hib not away. ch.8.8. Da.6.8.13.17. Lets serted among the permanent laws, and a part of the constitution of the empi Persians seem to have affected such of wisdom in the construction of their la they never could be amended, and sho be repealed; and this formed the grad saying, The laws of the Medes and that change not.' another. Heb. her com that is better. 1Sa.15.28. 1K133 20 throughout. De.17.13.-21.21. Ep.5.33. Col.3.18. 1 Pe.3.1.7. 21 pleased the king. Heb, was good of the king. ver. 19. ch.2.4. Ge.h 22 into every province. ch.3.18-4 that every man. Both the and common sense taught this from tion of the world; and this parade of was only to deprive Vashti of her c it the 5.2.4. 1 Ti.2.12. Tit.2 4.5. one should publish it according to the of his country, ch.3.12. according. L 2.5..11. 1 Co.14.19,20. 8 none did compel. Every person drank what-4.1. he pleased. Among the Greeks, however, each guest was obliged to keep the round, or leave the company; hence the proverb, Hi, n atiới, Drink, or begone. Mr. HERBERT, in his poem entitled The Church Porch, has severely reprobated this vile custom. In Britain, however, this demoralizing custom is now almost de stroyed, and a new era of social pleasure is arising, by temperate habits, increased domestic comforts, and the spread of gospel truths. 35.8.-51.7. Hab.2.15,16. the officers. Jn°.2.8. 9 the queen. ch.5.4,8. Je. 10 the heart, Ge.43.31. Ju.16.25. 1 Sa.25.36,37. 2 Sa.13.28. Pr.20.1. Ec.7.2.4.-10.19. Ep.5.18,19. Harbona. ch.7.9, Harbonah. chamberlains, or, eunuchs. Da.1.3..5,18,19. 11 Vashti. Pr.16.9.-23.29..33. Mar.6.21,22. fair to look on. Heb. good of countenance. 1 Sa. 25.3. 2 Sa.14.25. Pr.31.30. 12 the queen. This refusal of Vashti's, to expose herself to the view of such a group or drunken Bacchanalians, was highly praiseworthy, and became the dignity of her rank and the modesty of her sex. refused. Ge.3.16. Ep. 5.22.24. 1 Pe.3.1. by his chamberlains. Heh, which was by the hand of his eunuchs, was the king. Pr.19.12.-20.2. Da.2.12.-3.13,19. Na.1.6. Re.6.16.17. burned. Ex.32.19,22. De.29.20. Ps. 74.1.-79.5. 13 the wise. Je.10.7. Da.2.2,12,47.-4.6,7.-5.7. Mat.2.1. knew. 1 Ch.12.32. Mat.16.3. 14 the seven. Ezr.7.14. saw. 2 K1.25.19. Mat. 18.10. Re.22.4. CHAP. IL Out of the choice of virgins a quern is tal 1-4. Mordecai the nursing father of B Esther preferred before the rest, 8-11, ner of purification, and going in to the Esther best pleasing the king, is mor Mordecai discovering a treason, is reca chronicles, 21-3 1 A. M. 3543. B. C. 461, he remember 14..18. what was decreed. ch.1.12.21. 2 king's servants. ch.1.10,14.-6.14. be. Ge.12.14. 1 Ki.1.2. 3 in all the provinces. ch.1.1.2. that gather. This was the usual way harem, or seragito, was furnished women in the land, whether of high birth, were sought out and broacet harem. They all became the king's but one was raised as chief wife, or s the throne; and her issue was especial y to inherit. the custody. Heb. the hard. ver.8, Hegai. the king's chamberin hammelech, the king's eunuch: so the thet Vulgate, Targum, and Syriac. ver.12..14. Is.3.18..23. The Book of ESTHER. CHAP. L. Fa came to pass n the days of tu Ahasuerus which #cbdia even unto Ethiopia, ad and seven and twenty e These days, when the king B. C. 521. a Ezr. 7. 14. 2 KI. 25.19 Ezr. 4. 6. Da. 9. 1. What to do. Ne. 1. 1. the throne of his king.deb. te shewed the riches of his GPS ad fuurscore days. were white, green, and 8 blue Ge. 40. 20. Mar. 6. 21. 7 found. dor, violet, eb 8, 15. be goodwith "from before him. Eze 23. 41. Am. 6. 4. ⚫ or, of par. grand phyre, alabaster, and stone of blur colour, pass not away, chЯs Da.6.8.15. , upon a pavement of red, and A her comnd site, and black marble. panion. wine of the kingdom. Hey gave them drink in vessels the vessels being diverse one ber) and royal ine in abun-hand. ding to the state of the king. A Hab. 2. 15. drinking was according to the Ep. 5. 33. e did compel; for so the king was good to all the officers of his by should do according to asure. Te the queen made a feast Col. 3. 18. ch. 8. 9. 1 2 Sa. 13. 28. is the royal house which ing Ahasuerus. • Ep.5.22.24. seventh day, when the heart 1T1. 2. 12. was merry with wine, he or, eunuchs. ded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbo-one thould and Abagtha, Zethar, and publish it the seven chamberlains that according the presence of Ahasuerus the to the language of Bring Vashti the queen before! his people. - good of with the crown royal, to shew countenance, and the princes her beauty: fair to look on. the queen Vashti refused to king's commandment by 1 Sa. 25. 3. (sena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom) pch. 1. 19,20. which was by the hand of his ru rains: therefore was the king and his anger burned in him. nuchs. e king said to the wise men, g Je. 10. 7. the times, (for so was the 1Ch. 12. 32. mer toward all that knew law x hand. or, Hegal, ver. 8. Aade Dext unto him was Carshena, ¡ dhar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Mar-! 15 What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains! 16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. 17 For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Abasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. 18 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath. 19 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Per sians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto A another that is better than she. 20 And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small. 21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did ac cording to the word of Memucan: 22 For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house; and that it should be published according to the language of every people. CHAP. II. AFTER these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. 2 Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fai young virgins sought for the king: 3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the xcus tody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them. 4 And let the maiden which pleaseth: the king be queen" instead of Vashti, And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. 5 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite, 6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. 7 And he 3 brought up Hadassah (that is Esther) his uncle's daughter; for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid eas fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. B. C. 519. a Mat. 20, 16, 22. 14. b ch. 1.3. Brest. 8 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was, brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. k Ne. 8. 12. d 2 Ki. 24. 14, Je. 24. 1. e ch. 3. 2. virgins; so that he set the royal e upon her head, and made her que stead of Vashti. 18 Then the king made a great unto all his princes and his serva Esther's feast; and he made a d to the provinces, and gave gifts," ing to the state of the king. 19 And when the virgins were 15. together the second time, then M sat in the king's gate. y or, Jehoi achin, i 9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him and he speedily gave her her things for purification, & with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house and he A preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. 10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. 2 KL. 24. 6. or, Big- threshold. ver. 3. Ps. 106. 46. ver. 3, 12 her por changed. / Nu. 24. 7. 15a.15.8.33. 11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house tom ver. 20. know how Esther did, and what should become of her. 12 Now, when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifica tions accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women,) " Ge. 41. 43. the peace Ps. 15. 4. p ver. 2. 13 Then thus came every maiden untor the king; whatsoever she desired was given her, to go with her out of the houses of the women unto the king's house. 14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name. Pr.7.17. Ps. 83. 4. Ge. 34. 19. De. 21. 14. wch 9. 24. Ezr. 4. 13. Ac. 16, 20. 8. 10. Ac. 7. 10. 15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she Ca. 6. 9. required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed: and Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. 16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and a favour in his sight more than all the! meet, or, them. ress. - before him. 20 Esther had not yet shewed dred nor her people, as Morde charged her: for? Esther did $ mandment of Mordecai, like as: was brought up with him. 21 In those days, while Mon in the king's gate, two of chamberlains, Bigthan and those which kept the @door, w and sought to lay hand on the suerus. 22 And the thing was known decai, who told it unto Es queen, and Esther certited thereof in Mordecai's name 23 And when inquisitie 23 the matter, it was found set: th they were both hanged at a tree was written in the book at the C before the king. CHAP. III AFTER these things did king rus promote Haman the sou ne datha the Agagite, and adr and set his seat above all the that were with him. 2 And all the king's servas in the king's gate, bowel and ed Haman: for the king had manded concerning him: bat bowed not, nor did kim reveres 3 Then the king's servants, in the king's gate, said unt Why transgressest thou t commandment? 4 Now it came to pass, when daily unto him, and he hear unto them, that they told la whether Mordecai's matters w for he had told them that he w 5 And when Haman say that bowed not, nor did him rever was Haman full of wrath. 6 And he thought scorn to lay Mordecai alone; for they hads the people of Mordecai: whe man sought to destroy all the were throughout the whole Ahasuerus, even the people of 7 In the first month, (that Nisan,) in the twelfth year of that suerus, they cast Pur, before Haman, from day to from month to month, to t month, that is, the month Ad 8 And Haman said unto king There is a certam people scatte and dispersed among the perf provinces of thy kingdom; laws are diverse from all peo keep they the king's laws, th not for the king's profit to s 9 If it please the king, let ! that they may be destroyed. Ppay ten thousand talents the hands of those that havt of the business, to bring it to treasuries, CHAP. HT He the maiden. Mat.20.16 −22.14. the thing. 1-19.10. 2. 13. 4..6.-16.1..23.-17.4. Haman, advanced by the king, and despised by Mor decai, seeketh revenge upon all the Jews, 1-8. casteth lob, 7 He obtaineth by calumniation a deeree of the king to put the Jews to death, 8-15. 1 A. M. 3551. B. C. 453. promote Haman, ch. 7.6. Ps.12.8. Pr.19.2. Agagite. Nu 24.7. I Sa. 15.8,33. above all the princes, ch.1.14. Ge.41.40, 55. Ezr.7.14. Da.6.2. mia, ver 3. cl.1.2.-5.1. a certain Jew. 6-10.3 the son of Shimei. 1 Sa. 9.1. 5. smark. £ K1. 24614.15. 2 Ch.36.9,10,20, chin. Je,20 €4,08. Corah.-24.1. up. Heb, nourished. Ep. 4. HaDa16,7 his uncle's, ver.15. Je.32.7.. e and beautiful. Heb. fair of form and frustenance. ch.1.11. took. Ge. 48. 5. 8. 1 Ja°31 One of Dr. KENNICOTT'S MSS. Vef Been has Hegé, as in ver. 3. tdmed, Ge 39.21. 1 ki8.50. Ezr.7.6. 26.46. Pr.16.7. Da.1.9. Ac.7.10. her ingrer 3,12. such things. Heb, her porpered her. Heb. changed her. af at bezed, ch.3.8.-4.13.14.-7.4. Mat. ⚫rai, ver 7.20. Ep.6.1. The apartments of the women inviolabie, that it is even a tercare #list passes within their walls. CHARDEN, may walk a hundred der the other, by the house where And yet know no more what is at the further end of Tartary. Ctly explains the conduct of Mor1 ver. 13,14. how Esther did. Heb. 4 of Esther. Ge.37.14. 15a.17.18. Ac. 1346. B. C. 458. to go in. 1 Th.4.4,5. P: 7.17. Ca.3.6. 1.57.9. Lu.7.37,38. , ch 4.11. Ge.34.19. De.21 14. s. were called. 19.43.1.-45.4. and taken. ver.7. Esther. Ca.6.9.-8. month. ch.8.9. the seventh, ver.' er, kindness. in his sight. Heb. so that he set. ch.4.14. 1 Sa.2.8. Ps. 378 Eze.17.24. Lu.1.48.52. Bishop bserves, that those who suggest that mitted a great sin to come at the queen of Persia, do not consider the Bree times and countries. Every one g took to his bed was married to as his wife of a lower rank, as lagar 2 the king's servants. Dr. SHAW, speaking of the cities in the East, says, 'If we quit the streets, and enter into any of the principal houses, we shall first pass through a porch, or gate-way, with benches on each side, where the master of the family receives visits, and despatches business; few persons, not even the nearest relations, having admission any farther, except upon extraordinary occasions.' I hese servants were probably officers who here waited the king's call; and it is likely that Mordecai was one of them. ch.2.19,21. bowed. Ge.41.43. Phi.2.10. bowed not. Yichra welo gishtachawek, 'bowed not down, nor prostrated himself, or worshipped him. Had this meant only citil reverence the king would not have needed to command it; nor would Mordecai have refused it: there was, therefore, some kind of divine honour intended, such as was paid to the Persian kings, and which even the Greeks refused, as express adoration ver.1,5. Ex.17.14,16. De. 25.19. 1 Sa.15.3. Ps.15.4. 3 Why. ver. 2. Ex. 1. 17. Mat.15.2.3. 4 when they spake. Ge:39.10, that they told. Da.3.8,9.-6.13. he had told. Ezr.1.3. Da.3.12, 16.18.23.30.-6.20..28. Jon.1.9. 5 that Mordecai, ver 2. ch.5.9. full of wrath. ch 1.12. Ge.4.5.6. Job 5.2. Pr.12.16.-19.19.-21. 24.-27.3,4. Da.3.19. 6 sought. Ps.83.4. Re.12.12. 1 7 the first month. Ne.2.1. in the twelfth, ch.1. 3-2.16. they cast Pur, ch 9.24..26. Pr.16.33. Eze.21.21.22. Mat.27.35. Adar. ch.9.1,5.17..19, 21. Ezr.6.15. 347. B. C. 457. made a great, ch. Ju.14.10.17. Ca 3.11.-5.1. Mat. Re.19.9. he made. We learn from cod ATHENAUS, that the Perwere accustomed to give their ties and provinces for the puring them with different articles was assigned for ornamenting the k; another provided robes, zones, the city of Anthilla was given to a een, we read, to supply her with Bredals. It is probable, therefore, desire of Esther, Ahasuerus relieved and provinces that had before paid is expense. release. Heb. rest. gave 1.25.8. Ne811. Re. 11.10. ms, ver 3,4. 3.8.3-5.13. at yet shewed. ver.10. for Esther. Ep., sat in the king's gate. a. ch.6.2, Bigthana. door. Heb. ng. Ec. 10.20. Ac.23.12..22. and ch.5.14-7.10. Ge.40.19.22. De.21. 8 scattered abroad. Le.26.33. De.4.27.-30.3.32.26. Ne.1.8. Je.50.17. Eze 6.8.-11.16, Zec.7.14. Juo.7.35. Ja.1.1. 1 Pe.1.1. thetr laws. Ear 4.12.. 15. Ac.16.20,21.-17.6,7.-24.5.-26.22. for the king's profit to. Heb meet, or equal for the king to, &c. 9 that they may be destroyed. Heb. to destroy them. and I will pay. Heb. and I will weigh, Ge.23.16. Here Haman is obliged to acknowledge that there would be a less to the revenue, which he was willing to make up out of his own property. Ten thousand talents of silver, counted by the Babylonish talent, amount to 2,119,000; but reckoned by the Jewish talent, they amount to double that sum. In those days, silver and gold were more plentiful than at present; and we have many instances of individuals possessing almost incredible riches.--HERODOTUS relates, that when Xerxes went into Greece, Pythius the Lydian had 2000 talents of silver, and 4,000,000 of gold daries, which unitedly amount to nearly 5,500,000L PLUTARCH tells us, that after Crassus had dedicated the tenth of all he had to Hercules, he entertained the Roman people at 10,000 tables, and distributed to every citizen as much corn as was sufficient for three months; and, after all these expenses, he had 7100 Roman talents left, which amount to more than 1,500,0007, Lentulus the augur is said to have possessed no less than 3,133,3331, 6s. 8d. Apicius was worth more than 916,6717. 138. 4d.; and, after having spent in his kitchen 833,333/. 65. Bd. he considered the remainder too little for his sup port, and poisoned himself! ten thousand. Mat 18.24. 10 took. ch.8.2,8. Ge.41.42. pressor. ch.7.6. enemy. or, op11 to do. Ps.73.7. Je.26.14.-40.4. Lu.23.25. 12 Then were. ch.8.9, &c. scribes. or, secretaries. according. ch.1.22.-8.9.-9.27. in the name. 1 Ki.21.8. Da.6.8,12,15. sealed. ch.8.2,8,10. 13 by posts. ch.8.10,14. 2 Ch.30.6. Job 9.25. Je, 51.31. Ro.3.15. both young. 1 Sa.15.3.-22.1. in one day, ch.8.12..14. Ja.2.13. the spoil. ch.8.11. -9.10. Is.10.6. 14 The copy. ch.8.13,14. 15 hastened. Pr.1.16.-4.16. sat down. Ho.7.5. Am.6.6. Jn°.16.20. Re.11.10. the city. ch.4.16. -8.15. Pr.29.2. CHAP. IV. The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews, 1-3. Esther, understanding it, sendeth to Mordecai, who sheweth the cause, and adviseth her to undertake the suit, 4-9. She excusing herself, is threatened by Mordecai, 10-14. She appointing a fast, undertaketh the suit, 15-17. 1 all that. ch.3.8..13. rent. 2 Sa.1.11. Job 1. 20. Jon.3.4..9. Ac.14.14. with ashes, ver.3. Jos. 7.6. 2 Sa.13.19. Job 2.8.-42.6. Is.58.5. Eze.27. 30. Da.9.3. Jon.3.6. Mat.11.21. and cried. Mordecai gave every demonstration of the most poignant grief. Nor did he hide this from the city; and the Greek says that he uttered these words aloud : Αιρεται έθνος μηδεν ηδικηκος A people is going to be destroyed who have done no evil. Ge.27.34. Is.15.4.-22.4. Eze.21. 6.-27.31. Mi.1.8. Zep.1.14. Re.18.17..19. 3 in every province. ch.1.1.-3.12. great mourning. It cannot reasonably be doubted, that the mournings, fastings, and weepings of the Jews were attended by constant prayers and supplications; though all mention of them, and of the glorious God whom they worshipped, seems to have been studiously avoided. 1 Sa.4. 13,14.-11.4. Is.22.4,12.-37.1..3. weeping. Mat. 13.42.-22.13.-25.30. many lay in sackcloth and ashes. Heb. sackcloth and ashes were laid under many. Is.58.5. Da.9.3. 4 chamberlains. Heh. eunuchs. ch.1.12. 1 Sa. 8.15, marg. 2 Ki.9.32. Is.56.3. Ac.8.27. but he received it not. Ge.37.35. Ps.77.2. Je.31.15. 5 appointed to attend upon her. Heb. set before her. ch.1.10,12. to know. Ro.12.15. 1 Co.12.26. Phi.2.4. He.4.15. 7 all that had. ch.3.2..15. 8 the copy. ch.3.14,15. to charge. ch.2.20. 1 Ti.6.13,17. to make supplication. Job 9.15. Pr. 16.14,15. Ec. 10.4. Ac.12.20. request. ch.7.3,4.8.6. Ne.2.3..5. Pr.21.1. one 11 shall come. HERODOTUS informs us, that ever since the reign of Deioces, king of Media, for the security of the king's person, it was enacted that no one should be admitted into his presence; but that if any one had business with him, he should transact it through the medium of his ministers. the inner court. ch.5.1. law. Da.2.9. the king shall, ch.5.2.-8.4. golden sceptre. That the kings of Persia carried a golden sceptre, we have the following proof in XENOPHON: OTI OU TODE TO Xouaouv σκήπτρον το μην βασίλειαν διασώζον εστιν, αλλ' οι πιστοι φίλοι σκηπτρον βασιλευσιν aλn@eσтaтov Kai aopaλeoтaTOV It is not (said Cyrus to his son Cambyses) the golden Sceptre that saves the kingdom; but faithful friends are the truest and best sceptre of the kingdom.' but I. ch.1.19.-2.14. i Pe.3.7. 13 Think not. Pr.24.10..12. Mat.16.24.25. Jn", 12.25. Phi.2.30. He.12.3. 14 then shall. Ge.22.14. Nu.23.22..24. De.32. 26,27,36. 1 Sa.12.22. Is.54.17. Je.30.11.-33.24..26. -46.28. Am.9.8.9. Mat.16.18.-24.22. enlargement. Heb. respiration. Ezr.9.9. Job 9.18. but thou. ch.2.7,15. Ju.14.15..18.-15.6. whether. Ge.45.4..8. Is.45.1..5.-49.23. Ac.7.90..25. 16 present. Heb. found. fast. Cha 17 went. Heb. passed. CHAP. V. Esther, adventuring on the king's fast the grace of the golden sceptre, and in king and Haman to a banquet, 1encouraged by the king in her mit seik to another banquet the neat day, 6 proud of his advancement, repineth e th of Mordecai, 9-13. By the cossari f prepareth for him a gallows, 14. 1 on the, ch.4.16. Mat.27.64. rel. 8.15. Mat.10.16.-11.8 1 Pe.3.3.5 11.-6.4. sat. 1 Ki.10 18..20. Lu 2 she. Ge.32.28. Ne.1.11. Ps.116. Ac.7.10.-10.4. golden sceptre. ch.4.11 3 What. ver.6. ch.7.2.-9.12. 1 KL Mat.20.20..22. Lu.18.41. to. ver.6. M 4 If it seem. ver.8. Pr.29.11. the Mashteh, from shathah, to drink,' a c feast, or banquet accompanied with the drinking in the East being at the and not at the end of the entertainmen RIUS, describing an entertainment sian court, says. The floor of the covered with cotton cloth, which wa with all sorts of fruits and sweetreat of gold. With them was served up Shiraz wine. After an hour's time, meats were removed, to make way f substantial part of the entertainment rice, boiled and roast mutton, &c. company had been at table an hour warm water was brought, in sewerd washing; and grace being said, they retire without speaking a word, sod the custom of the country. ver.8. ch. 27.25.-32.20. Ps.112.5. 1 Co.14.20. 5 Cause Haman. ch.6.14. 6 the king said, ver.3. ch.7.2.-9.12. 8 perform. Heb. do. Let the g probably wished another interview. might ingratiate herself more fully king's favour, and thus secure the soce design. But Providence disposed of th to give time for the important event |