Est. 6 Ahasuerus’s sleep being taken from him, he commands the chronicles to be read, Est. 6:1. And reading of Mordecai’s discovery of the plot against his life, asks what honour had been done to him, Est. 6:2–3.

How vain are all the contrivances and endeavours of this foolish, impotent man against the wise and omnipotent God, who hath the hearts and hands of kings and all men perfectly at his dispose, and can by such trivial accidents (as they are accounted) change their minds, and produce such momentous…

He hath had no recompence for this great and good service; which might happen, either through the king’s forgetfulness, or through the envy of the courtiers, or because he was a Jew, and therefore odious and contemptible.

Haman was come early in the morning, because his malice probably would not suffer him to sleep; and he was impatient till he had executed his desired revenge; and he was resolved to watch for the very first opportunity of speaking to the king, before he was engaged in other matters.

The king names none, because he would have the more impartial answer. And probably he knew nothing of the difference between Haman and Mordecai. Haman thought in his heart; as indeed he had great reason to presume, because he had not yet forfeited that favour which the king had showed to him above…

The royal apparel; his outward garment, which was made of purple, interwoven with gold, as Justin and Curtius relate. The horse that the king rideth upon usually; which was well known, both by his excellency, and especially by his peculiar trappings and ornaments: compare 1 Kings 1:33.

Proclaim before him, i.e. cause this to be proclaimed, to wit, by some public officer appointed for that service. Compare Gen. 41:43.

He proclaimed this either himself, or by the officer.

To the king’s gate; to his former place and office; showing that as he was not overwhelmed by Haman’s threats and malicious design, as appears by Est. 5:9; so now he was not puffed up with all this honour.

His wise men; the magicians, whom after the Persian manner he had called together to consult with upon this great and strange emergency. If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews; which they were told, and was generally supposed; but they were not infallibly sure of it.

He was now slack to go thither, by reason of the great dejection of his own mind, and the fear of a worse entertainment from the king and queen than he had formerly received.