Est. 8 Mordecai is advanced over the house of Haman, Est. 8:1–2. Esther maketh a petition to the king to reverse Haman’s letters, Est. 8:3–6. Ahasuerus granteth to Esther and Mordecai, Est. 8:7, to write to the Jews to defend themselves, Est. 8:8.

The house of Haman, with all his goods and estate, which being justly forfeited to the king, he no less justly bestows it upon the queen, to compensate the danger to which Haman had exposed her. Mordecai came before the king, i.e.

The king took off his ring; that ring which he had formerly given to Haman for that present or any further use, Est. 3:10, he now gives to Mordecai, and with it that power and authority whereof this ring was a sign, making him, as Haman had been, the keeper of his signet.

To put away the mischief of Haman; to repeal that cruel decree, of which see Est. 3:13.

The king held out the golden sceptre; in token that he accepted her person and petition, and that she should stand upon her feet.

She useth various expressions, that she might insinuate herself into the king’s favour, by such a full and repeated resignation and submission of herself to the king’s good pleasure.

My heart will sink under it, and I shall never be able to survive it.

You see how ready I have been to grant your requests, and I do not repent of my favour to you, and am ready to grant your further desires, as far as the law will permit me to do.

For the Jews; on their behalf, to the governors and commanders of the king’s forces, or to whom you please. Seal it with the king’s ring; I offer you my authority and seal to confirm whatsoever you shall think fit to write.

In the third month, on the three and twentieth day thereof; which was above two months after the former decree; all which time God suffered the Jews to lie under the terror of this dreadful day partly, that they might be more thoroughly humbled for and purged from those many and great sins under…

Which were not employed in the sending of the former letter; but this coming later required more care and speed, that the Jews might be eased from the torment of their present fears, and have time to furnish themselves with necessaries for their own defence.

To stand for their life; to stand up and fight for the de fence of their lives against all that should seek to destroy them. All the power of the people; either governors or governed, without any exception, either of age, dignity, or sex, as it follows.

By the king’s commandment; by his particular. and express command to that purpose.

With a great crown of gold; which the chief of the Persian princes were permitted to wear, but with sufficient distinction from the king’s crown. The city of Shushan; not only Jews, but the greatest number of the citizens, who, by the law of nature written upon their hearts, had an abhorrency from…

Light is oft put for gladness, as 2 Sam. 22:29, Job 18:5–6, Ps. 27:1, because light is pleasant and disposeth a man to joy, whereas darkness inclines a man to sorrow. Gladness and joy: this explains the former metaphor by two words expressing the same thing, to note the greatness of the joy.

A feast and a good day, i.e. a time of feasting and rejoicing, and thanksgiving, The fear of the Jews; when possibly they had irritated by their former threatenings, and now gave this evidence of their repentance, that they were willing to submit to that severe precept of circumcision.