Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Drink. Wine was only used at great feasts. Sirach 31:17. Water was served up first, from the river Choaspes only. The king and his eldest son were allowed to drink of “the golden waters,” of which they alone had 70 fountains. Athen. xii. 2.—Their wine was brought from Chelbon, near Damascus. Id. i. 22. Ezekiel 27:18. Calmet.
Verse 3. People. She was more concerned for these than for half of the kingdom. Hence all fasted and prayed, and Esther obtained their deliverance. Worthington.
Verse 4. Perish. Three terms of the same import express the greatness of the misery. Bible.—King. Whose revenue will be greatly impaired, ( Calmet.) and character injured, for having given such power to a monster. Bible.—The kings of Persia had taken many precautions not to be thus deluded, having appointed officers, who were styled “the eyes and ears” of the king, purposely to obtain all necessary information. But these eyes were often darkened; these ears were often deaf, ( Calmet.) and unwilling to act with fidelity; ( Bible.) though their diligence in make secret transactions known, caused the people to look upon their kings as gods. Apul. Mund. Cyrop. viii. Calmet.
Verse 5. What. Hebrew “where, who durst entertain this design?” Bible.
Verse 6. Astonished. Horror of a guilty conscience is the first punishment. Saint John Chrysostom Worthington.
Verse 7. Set. Hebrew “of the palace,” ( Bible.) belonging to the queen. Calmet.
Verse 8. My own. Hebrew “will he force … in the house?” Bible.—Those who know with what jealousy the Persians treated their wives, so at to punish with death those who crossed the road before the queens, (Plut. Artax.) or touched them, will not wonder at the indignation of Assuerus, ( Calmet.) though his suspicions were groundless. Bible.—Aman wished to incline the queen to shew clemency, ( Menochius.) and intercede for him. He threw himself as a suppliant at her feet, as she lay on the bed at table. Bible.—Face. His crime was notorious; no trial was requisite, and the kings could treat their subjects as slaves. It was customary to cover the faces of those who were led to execution. Philotas was thus conducted into the presence of Alexander. Curt. vi.
Verse 9. Harbona. Cr. “Bougathan.” Bible.—He had been to call Aman to the feast. Jos.—Little dependance is to be had on false friendship, when a man is disgraced. Worthington.—Upon it. His body was perhaps afterwards exposed in the street. Calmet. 16:18. It is not clear that he was nailed to the cross, though this custom prevailed in the country. 1 Ezra 6:11. Alexander crucified many satraps. Curt. ix.—The old Vulg. observes that the wife and ten children of Aman suffered with him. Calmet. 9:6. Calmet.
see Hebrew: slanderer
Or, impaled.