Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, by R.A. Torrey, [ca. 1880], at sacred-texts.com
Esther Chapter 4
Overview
Est 4:1, The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews; Est 4:4, Esther, understanding it, sends to Mordecai, who shews the cause, and advises her to undertake the suit; Est 4:10, She excusing herself, is threatened by Mordecai; Est 4:15, She appointing a fast, undertakes the suit.
all that: Est 3:8-13
rent: Sa2 1:11; Job 1:20; Jon 3:4-9; Act 14:14
with ashes: Est 4:3; Jos 7:6; Sa2 13:19; Job 2:8, Job 42:6; Isa 58:5; Eze 27:30; Dan 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 εθνος μηδεν ηδικηκος, "A people is going to be destroyed who have done no evil." Gen 27:34; Isa 15:4, Isa 22:4; Eze 21:6, Eze 27:31; Mic 1:8; Zep 1:14; Rev 18:17-19
in every province: Est 1:1, Est 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. Sa1 4:13, Sa1 4:14, Sa1 11:4; Isa 22:4, Isa 22:12, Isa 37:1-3
weeping: Mat 13:42, Mat 22:13, Mat 25:30
many lay in sackcloth and ashes: Heb. sackcloth and ashes were laid under many, Isa 58:5; Dan 9:3
chamberlains: Heb. eunuchs, Est 1:12; Sa1 8:15 *marg. Kg2 9:32; Isa 56:3; Act 8:27
but he received it not: Gen 37:35; Psa 77:2; Jer 31:15
appointed to attend upon her: Heb. set before her, Est 1:10, Est 1:12
to know: Rom 12:15; Co1 12:26; Phi 2:4; Heb 4:15
the king's: Est 4:3, Est 7:2, Est 9:12
all that had: Est 3:2-15
to charge: Est 2:20; Ti1 6:13, Ti1 6:17
to make supplication: Job 9:15; Pro 16:14, Pro 16:15; Ecc 10:4; Act 12:20
request: Est 7:3, Est 7:4, Est 8:6; Neh 2:3-5; Pro 21:1
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: Est 5:1
one law: Dan 2:9
the king shall: Est 5:2, Est 8:4
the golden sceptre: That the kings of Persia carried a golden sceptre, we have the following proof in Xenophon: Οτι ου τοδε το χρυσουν σκηπτρον το μην βασιλειαν διασωζον εστιν, αλλ οι πιστοι φιλοι σκηπτρον βασιλευσιν αληθεστατον και ασφαλεστατον. "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: Est 1:19, Est 2:14; Pe1 3:7
Think not: Pro 24:10-12; Mat 16:24, Mat 16:25; Joh 12:25; Phi 2:30; Heb 12:3
then shall: Gen 22:14; Num 23:22-24; Deu 32:26, Deu 32:27, Deu 32:36; Sa1 12:22; Isa 54:17; Jer 30:11, Jer 33:24-26, Jer 46:28; Amo 9:8, Amo 9:9; Mat 16:18, Mat 24:22
enlargement: Heb. respiration, Ezr 9:9; Job 9:18
but thou: Est 2:7, Est 2:15; Jdg 14:15-18, Jdg 15:6
whether: Gen 45:4-8; Isa 45:1-5, Isa 49:23; Act 7:20-25
for such a time: Sa1 17:29; Kg2 19:3; Neh 6:11; The fact related in this verse was unquestionably the reason why Esther was raised to regal honours, by the overruling providence of God. she was therefore bound in gratitude to do this service for God, else she would not have answered the end of her elevation, and she need not fear the miscarriage of the enterprise, for if God designed her for it, he would surely bear her through and give success. It appeared by the event that Mordecai spoke prophetically, when he modestly conjectured that Esther came to the kingdom that she might be the instrument of the Jews' deliverance. Mordecai thoroughly believed that it was a cause which one way or other would certainly be carried, and which, therefore, she might safely venture upon. Instruments might fail, but God's covenant cannot. There is a wise design in all the providences of God, which is unknown to us till it is accomplished; but it will prove in the issue that all is intended for and centre in the good of those who trust in Him.
present: Heb. found
fast: Ch2 20:3; Isa 22:12; Joe 1:14, Joe 1:15, Joe 2:12-17; Jon 3:4-9
eat nor drink: Est 5:1; Mat 12:40; Act 9:9, Act 27:33
I also: Gen 18:19; Jos 24:15; Act 10:7
if I perish: If I lose my life in the attempt to save my people, I shall lose it cheerfully. I see it is my duty to make the attempt; and, come what will, I am resolved to do it. Gen 43:14; Sa1 19:5; Sa2 10:12; Luk 9:24; Act 20:24, Act 21:13; Rom 16:4; Phi 2:30
went: Heb. passed, Est 4:17