Bible Commentary

Esther 1

Esther 1 — Overview

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible · Matthew Henry (1662–1714) · Public Domain

Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use; but the design of recording the story of it is to show how way was made for Esther to the crown, in order to her being instrumental to defeat Haman's plot, and this long before the plot was laid, that we may observe and admire the foresight and vast reaches of Providence. "Known unto God are all his works" before-hand. Ahasuerus the king, I. In his height feasts all his great men, ver. 1-9. II. In his heat he divorces his queen, because she would not come to him when he sent for her, ver. 10-22. This shows how God serves his own purposes even by the sins and follies of men, which he would not permit if he know not how to bring good out of them.

The Feast of Ahasuerus. (b. c. 519.)

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Esther 1 — OverviewEsther 1 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeEsther 1:1, Ahasuerus makes royal feasts; Esther 1:10, Vashti, sent for, refuses to come; Esther 1:13, Ahasuerus, by the counsel of Memucan, puts away Vashti, and makes the decree of men’s sovereignty.Esther 1 — OverviewEsther 1 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis book has its name from the person who is the principal subject of it; it is by Clemens of Alexandria called the Book of Mordecai also; it is commonly called, in the Hebrew copies, "Megillah Esther", the Volume of…Esther 1:1-9Esther 1:1-9 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleWhich of the kings of Persia this Ahasuerus was the learned are not agreed. Mordecai is said to have been one of those that were carried captive from Jerusalem (ch. ii. 5, 6), whence it should seem that this…Esther 1:1Esther 1:1 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeAhasuerus: Prideaux has shewn satisfactorily that Ahasuerus was the Artaxerxes Longimanus of the Greeks, agreeably to the Septuagint and Josephus. See note on Ezra 6:14. Ezra 4:6; Daniel 9:1 from India: Esther 8:9;…Esther 1:2Esther 1:2 · Treasury of Scripture Knowledgesat: 2 Samuel 7:1; 1 Kings 1:46; Daniel 4:4 Shushan: Esther 2:3, Esther 3:15, Esther 4:16, Esther 9:12-15; Nehemiah 1:1; Daniel 8:2Esther 1:2Esther 1:2 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThat in those days, when the King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom,.... Not only was placed upon it, but settled in it; after Xerxes had subdued Egypt, in the second year of his reign , and enjoyed great peace…