1Ki 20:16-20, Est 5:8, 12-14, 7:1-2, 8-10, Isa 21:4, Dan 5:4-6, Nah 1:10 | TSK | STEP | Ben-hadad. the thirty. The Syrians, the besiegers, had their directions from a drunken king, who gave orders over his cups, while he was drinking at noon. Drunkenness is a sin which is most detestable in all, but more so in a king than in a private individual, inasmuch as the greater weight a man's situation carries, whether from accumulated riches, family connections, hereditary authority, or invested command, so is the influence which his vices must have on those around him. Perhaps it may be said, from past experience, that drunkenness, which is a most heinous sin in the sight of God, may be charged on those who indulge only now and then in that which may eventually lead them into drunkenness; for they shut their eyes against the most palpable facts, and rather than give up the paltry gratification of a debauch, involve thousands by their example to positive harm. Benhadad's drunkenness was the forerunner of his fall. Belshazzar also, we read, drank wine with his princes, his wives, and his concubines, and praised the gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone: and in the same hour came forth the finger of a man's hand and wrote his doom on the plaster of the wall. Those who fancy themselves perfectly secure, and above the possibility of falling, are commonly nearest their destruction: there is always an Ahab read to take advantage of and improve the self-imposed imbecility.

1 Kings 20:16-20

Ben-hadad.

11,12; 16:7; Pr 23:29-32; Ec 10:16,17; Ho 4:11

the thirty.

Isa 54:15The Syrians, the besiegers, had their directions from a drunken king, who gave orders over his cups, while he was drinking at noon. Drunkenness is a sin which is most detestable in all, but more so in a king than in a private individual, inasmuch as the greater weight a man's situation carries, whether from accumulated riches, family connections, hereditary authority, or invested command, so is the influence which his vices must have on those around him. Perhaps it may be said, from past experience, that drunkenness, which is a most heinous sin in the sight of God, may be charged on those who indulge only now and then in that which may eventually lead them into drunkenness; for they shut their eyes against the most palpable facts, and rather than give up the paltry gratification of a debauch, involve thousands by their example to positive harm. Benhadad's drunkenness was the forerunner of his fall. Belshazzar also, we read, drank wine with his princes, his wives, and his concubines, and praised the gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone: and in the same hour came forth the finger of a man's hand and wrote his doom on the plaster of the wall. Those who fancy themselves perfectly secure, and above the possibility of falling, are commonly nearest their destruction: there is always an Ahab read to take advantage of and improve the self-imposed imbecility.

14,15,19

1Sa 2:3,4; 14:11,12; 17:44; 2Ki 14:8-12; Pr 18:12

they slew.

2Sa 2:16; Ec 9:11

the Syrians.

Le 26:8; Jud 7:20-22; 1Sa 14:13-15; 2Ki 7:6,7; Ps 33:16; 46:6

escaped.

1Sa 30:16,17; 2Ki 19:36

Esther 5:8

perform. Heb. do. let the king.Esther probably wished another interview, that she might ingratiate herself more fully into the king's favour, and thus secure the success of her design. But Providence disposed of things thus, to give time for the important event mentioned in the following chapter.

to-morrow.

6:1-13; Pr 16:9

Esther 5:12-14

Yea, Esther.Plutarch, in his life of Artaxerxes, informs us, that none but the king's mother, and his real wife, were permitted to sit at his table; and therefore he mentions it as a condescension in that prince, that he sometimes invited his brothers. Haman, therefore, had some reason to be proud of this favour.

to-morrow.

Job 8:12,13; 20:5-8; Ps 37:35,36; Pr 7:22,23; 27:1; Lu 21:34,35

1Th 5:3

Yet all this.Pride will ever render its possessor unhappy. Haman, though possessed of immense riches, glory, and honour, and the prime favourite of his king, is wretched, because he could not have the homage of that man whom his heart even despised! Oh, how distressing are the inquietudes of pride and vanity.

1Ki 21:4-6; Job 15:20; 18:4; Ec 1:2,14; Php 4:11,12

said Zeresh.

2Sa 13:3-5; 1Ki 21:7,25; 2Ch 22:3,4; Mr 6:19-24

Let a gallows. Heb. Let a tree.

7:9

speak thou.

3:8-15; 6:4

go thou in.

3:15; 1Ki 21:7; Am 6:4-6; Re 11:10

the thing.

2Sa 16:21-23; 17:1-4; Mr 14:10,11; Ac 23:14,15; Ro 1:32

he caused.

7:10; Ps 7:13-16; 9:15; 37:14,32; Pr 1:18; 4:16; Ro 3:15

Esther 7:1-2

1 Esther, entertaining the king and Haman, makes suit for her own life, and her people's.

5 She accuses Haman.

7 The king in his anger, understanding of the gallows which Haman had made for Mordecai, causes him to be hanged thereon.

banquet. Heb. drink.

3:15; 5:8

the king said.

5:6; Joh 16:24

Esther 7:8-10

the bed.

1:6; Isa 49:23

before me. Heb. with me. they covered Haman's.When a criminal was condemned by a Roman judge, he was delivered to the serjeant with these words: {I, lictor, caput obnubito arbori infelici suspendito,} "Go, sergeant, cover his head, and hang him on the accursed tree."

6:12; Job 9:24; Isa 22:17

Harbonah.

1:10

Harbona. one of the chamberlains.

6:14; 2Ki 9:32

Behold.

5:14; Job 27:20-23; Ps 7:15,16; 35:8; 141:10; Pr 11:5,6

gallows. Heb. tree. who had spoken.

2:21-23; 6:2

Hang him thereon.

9:25; 1Sa 17:51; Ps 7:15,16; 9:15,16; 35:8; 37:35,36; 73:19

Pr 11:5,6; Da 6:7,24