r that knew law and judgement; 14 and the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and P Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and sat first in the kingdom:) 15 What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not done the bidding 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 peoples that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. 17 For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, to make their husbands contemptible in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. 18 And this day shall the princesses of Persia and Media which have heard of the deed of the queen say the like unto all the king's princes. So shall there arise 2 much contempt and wrath. 19 If it please the king, let there go forth a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, 3 that it be not altered, that Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. 20 And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his kingdom, (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 according 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 should publish it according to the language of his people. I After these things," when the 2 wrath of king Ahasuerus was pacified, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what 1 Or, tell it 2 Or, enough Hege. was decreed against her. 2 Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair 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 custody of 5 Hegai the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things y ver. 9, 12. 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. r ver. 8, 15. Ezra 2. 2. Cp.1 Sam. 2 Kin. 24. 9.1? 14, 15. 2 Chr. 36. 10, 20. & 29. 1, 2. 5 There was a certain Jew in Shushan the palace, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of a Kish, a Benjamite; 6 who had been car ried away from Jerusalem with the captives which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, Jer. 24.1 whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. 7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter for ever. 15. she had neither father nor mother, and the maiden was fair and beautiful; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter. 8 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, : and when many maidens were d ver. 3. gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of He- ever. 3. gai, that Esther was taken into the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. 9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for ver. 5, 12. purification, with her portions, and the seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he removed her and her maidens to the best place of the house of the women. 109 Es-g ver. 20. ther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. 11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. 12 Now when the turn of every maiden was come to go in to 3 Heb. that it pass not away. 6 In 2 Kings 24. 6, Jehoiachin. 4 Heb. unto her companion. 5 Heb. 7 Heb. nourished. A ver. 7. ch. 9. 29. i ver. 3, 8. king Ahasuerus, after that it had been done to her according to the law for the women, twelve months, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with the things for the purifying of the women,) 13 then in this wise came the maiden unto the king, whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house 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. 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 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 favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a 1 release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the bounty of the king. 19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate. 20° Esther had not &6.10 12. yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like Pas when she was brought up with him. 21 In those days, while Mordecai 7 Cp. ch. 1. sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the jch. 1. 11 & 6. 8. A See ch. 1.3. 7 ch. 1. 7 (& ing. for mg.). m ver. 3, 4. R ver. 21. ch. 3. 2, 3 & 5. 9, 13 o ver. 10. p ver. 7. 10 & 6. 2. r ch. 6. 2. r 1 Heb. rest." 2 Heb. hand. door, were wroth, and sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus. 22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who shewed it unto sch. 6.2. Esther the queen and Esther told Cp. ch.7.9. the king thereof in Mordecai's name. 23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the tch. 6. 1 book of the chronicles before the king. & 10. 2. I After these things did king 3 Ahasuerus "promote Haman "ch. 5. 11. w ch. 8. 3, 5 & 9. 24. w ch. 5. 11. ach. 5. 9. # See ch. 24 2. 19. ver. 2. the son of Hammedatha the ver. 10. Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. 2 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed down, and did reverence to Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence. 3 Then the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment? 4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. 5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence, then was Haman a full of wrath. 6 But a Dan. 3. 19. he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. 7 In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, bch. 9. 24, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, which is the e Ezra 6. 15. month Adar. 8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and 5 dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from dCp. Ezra those of every people; neither keep & Acts 16. they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. 9 If it please the king, e ch. 8. 2. Gen. 41. 42. f ver. 1. 9 ch. 7. 6 & 8. 1 h ch. 8. 9. • See Ezra 8.36. jch. 1. 22 & 8. 9. A ch. 8.8, 10. let it be written that they be destroyed and I will pay ten thou sand talents of silver into the hands of those that have the charge of the king's business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. 10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. 11 And the king said & 9. 10, 24. unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. 12 Then were the king's 1scribes called in the first month, on the thirteenth day thereof, and there was written according to all that Haman commanded unto the king's isatraps, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the princes of every people; to every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and it was sealed with the king's ring. 13 And letters were sent by posts into all the king's Cp. Chr. provinces, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon Cp. ch.9.1. the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, Pand to take the spoil of them for a prey. 14 A copy of the writing, that the decree should be given out in every province, was published unto all the peoples, that they should be ready against that day. 15" The posts went forth in haste by the king's commandment, and the decree was given out in Shushan the palace: and the king and Haman sat down to drink; Cp. ch. 8. but the city of Shushan was perplexed. Cp. 1 Kiu. 21.8. 1 ch. 8. 8, 10. m ch. 8. 10. 30.6. n ch. 7. 4 & 8. 11. o ch, Ý. 12. p ch. 8. 11. 9 ch. 8. 13, 14. 15. * See Josh. 7.67 S. 31. I Now when Mordecai knew 4 all that was done, Mordecai 8 rent his clothes, and put on 1 See 2 Sam. sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry: 2 and he came even before the king's gate; for none might enter within the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, 3 v 3. 58. 5. & 8. 13. "and fasting, and weeping, and u ver. 16. wailing; and many lay in sack Dan. 9. cloth and ashes. 4 And Esther's Cp. Isai. maidens and her chamberlains came and told it her; and the queen was exceedingly grieved: and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take his sackcloth from off him: but he received it not. 5 Then called Esther for Hathach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and charged him to go to Mordecai, to know what this was, and why it was. 6 So Hathach went forth to Mordecai unto the broad place of the city, which was before the king's gate. 7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, "and the exact sum of the w ch. 3. 9. money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. 8 Also he gave him the copy of the writ- ch. 3. 14 ing of the decree that was given out in Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her; and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him, for her people. 9 And Hathach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. 10 Then Esther spake unto Hathach, and gave him a message unto Mordecai, saying: 11 All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law for him, that he be put to death, except such a to whom the ach. 5. 2 king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. 12 And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. 13 Then Mordecai bade them return answer unto Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. 14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father's house shall perish: and who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as 1 Or, secretaries 2 Or, to be given out for a decree spread under many. 3 Heb. sackcloth and ashes were ch. 3. 1. Cp. ch.6.4. z Dan. 2. 3. & 8. 4. this? 15 Then Esther bade them return answer unto Mordecai, 16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink 5 Cp.ch.5.1. three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast in like manner; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law and if I perish, I perish. 17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him. e Cp. Gen. 43. 14. : d filled with wrath against Mordecai. & 7. 9, 10. Cp. ch. . 7 & 9. 13, 25. Cp. Gen. 31. 40 (for mg.). Dan. 6. 18 ch. 2. 23 & 10.2. v ch. 2. 22. (for mg.). 10 Cp. ch. 1. I Now it came to pass on the 5 third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the entrance of the house. 2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. 3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall 1 On that night could not be given thee even to the half of the king sleep; and he comthe kingdom. 4 And Esther said, If manded to bring "the book of it seem good unto the king, let the records of the chronicles, and they king and Haman come this day were read before the king. 2 And unto the banquet that I have pre- it was found written, that "Mordepared for him. 5 Then the king cai had told of "Bigthana and Tesaid, Cause Haman to make haste, resh, two of the king's chamberthat it may be done as Esther hath lains, of those that kept the door, said. So the king and Haman came who had sought to lay hands on the to the banquet that Esther had pre- king Ahasuerus. 3 And the king pared. 6 And the king said unto said, What honour and dignity Esther at the banquet of wine, hath been done to Mordecai for What is thy petition? and it shall this? Then said the king's servants be granted thee: and what is thy that ministered unto him, There is request? even to the half of the nothing done for him. 4 And the kingdom it shall be performed. king said, Who is in the court? 7 Then answered Esther, and said, Now Haman was come into the Cp. ch. 4. My petition and my request is; outward court of the king's house, 8 if I have found favour in the to speak unto the king to hang sight of the king, and if it please Mordecai on the gallows that he ch. 5. 14. the king to grant my petition, and had prepared for him. 5 And the to perform my request, let the king king's servants said unto him, Beand Haman come to the banquet hold, Haman standeth in the court. that I shall prepare for them, and I And the king said, Let him come will do to-morrow as the king hath in. 6 So Haman came in. And said. 9 Then went Haman forth the king said unto him, What shall that day joyful and glad of heart be done unto the man whom the a ver. 7, 9, but when Haman saw Mordecai "in king delighteth to honour? Now the king's gate, that he stood not Haman said in his heart, To whom up nor moved for him, he was would the king delight to do hon1 Or, trembled before him 2 Heb. tree. 3 Heb. the king's sleep fed from him. 4 Heb. threshold. : & 2. 21. 11 ch. 2. 21. & 5. 1. 11. 1. 33. c ch. 1. 11 & 2. 17. 41. 43. c See ch. 2. 19. our more than to myself? 7 And Haman said unto the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, 8 let royal apparel be brought which the king useth to b Cp. 1 Kin. Wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, 1and on the head of which a crown royal is set: 9 and let the apparel and the 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 cause him to ride on horseback dCp. Gen. through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour. 10 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. II Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and caused him to ride through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour. 12 And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house, See 2 Sam. mourning and having his head covered. 13 And Haman recounted unto 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, before whom thou hast begun to fall, be of the seed of the Jews, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. 14 While they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring 15. 30. g ch. 5. 10, 14. h ch. 5. 8. i ch. 5. 6 & 9. 12. jch. 5. 3. k ch. 5. 8. Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared. 7 1 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. 2 Ând the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed. 3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please ch. 3.9 ch. 3. 13 & 8.11. & 4. 7. 10. the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: 4'for we are sold, I and my people, " to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bond women, I had held my peace, although the adversary could not have compensated for the king's damage. 5 Then spake the king Ahasuerus and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? 6 And Esther said, "Ann See ch. 3. adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. 7 And the king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden: och. 1. 5. and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. 8 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the couch Cp. ch. whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he even force the queen before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. 9 Then said Harbonah, one of the q ch. 1. 10. chamberlains that were before the king, Behold also, "the gallows r See ch. 5. fifty cubits high, which Haman hath made for Mordecai, who s Cp. ch. 2. spake good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. And the king said, Hang him thereon. 10'So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified. On that day did the king 8 Ahasuerus give the house of v Haman "the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her. Cp. ch. 2. 2" And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. 3 And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his &9. 24. 3 Or, for our affliction is not 1 Or, and the crown royal which is set upon his head 2 Heb. to drink. to be compared with the king's damage 4 Heb. tree. x ch. 3. 1 |