Est. 4 The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews, Est. 4:1–3. He showeth Esther the cause of it, and adviseth her to petition the king for her people, Est. 4:4–9. She, excusing herself, is threatened by Mordecai, Est. 4:10–14. She appoints a general fast, and resolves to go in to the king, Est.

Partly, to express his deep sense of the mischief coming upon his people; partly, to move the pity of others to do what they could to prevent it; and partly, that by this means it might come to the queen’s ear.

None might enter into the king’s gate; and therefore he might not sit there, as he had hitherto done. Clothed with sackcloth, lest it should give the king any occasion of grief or trouble.

She sent raiment to clothe Mordecai; that so he might be capable of returning to his former place, if not of coming to her to acquaint her with the cause of that unusual sorrow.

To charge her; not only in his own name, to whom she manifested a singular respect, though his relation to her was yet unknown, but also in the name of the great God.

The king’s servants and the people do know, by common fame, of this received custom and law. Into the inner court, within which the king’s residence and throne was.

i.e. Being, or because thou art, in the king’s house, and an eminent member of his family.

From another place; from another hand, and by another means; which God can, and I am fully persuaded will, raise up. Thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed, by the righteous and dreadful judgment of God, punishing thy cowardice and self-seeking, and thy want of love to God, and to his and…

Fast ye, and pray; which was the main business, to which fasting was only a help and a handmaid. Neither eat nor drink, to wit, so as you use to do, either deliciously or plentifully.