But shalt surely fall before him. Whether it be pain, or trouble, or sorrow that causes the sleepless hours, we may pity sincerely and pray earnestly for these. But the king had just spent the night reviewing some official records, where he was reminded that Mordecai had saved his life several years earlier. Even as King Ahasuerus had a book of the records of the chronicles (literally a book of remembrance), so God also has a book of remembrance: Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name (Malachi 3:16). How his doom was, out of this event, read to him by his wife and his friends: "If Mordecai be, as they say he is, of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, though but in a point of honour, never expect to prevail against him; for thou shalt surely fall before him," Esther 6:13; Esther 6:13. 13 and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. But it is a sleek, a smiling, a self-garlanded victim we have here. Verse Esther 6:13. The night in question was the night between the two banquets of Esther, the night before the almost certainly foregone conclusion of permission to hang Mordecai on the new-made gallows of Haman. Haman had risen to high dignity; he enjoyed much of royal favour; he now felt that he might certainly reckon on being the chief recipient of the most signal honour the sovereign could pay. V. HUMILIATION. The king orders him to give Mordecai those honors; which he performs, to his extreme mortification, Esther 6:10, Esther 6:11. .Poor comfort does the unfortunate schemer get from his household; he knew too well already that he had begun to fall, his heart must have told him all too truly that it was but the beginning: what then could he expect from this communication to his family? Esther 6:6); Ahasuerus knew it (supra, Esther 6:10). The Persian name would be best represented by the fullest form of the three. We should praise the praiseworthy as well as condemn the faulty. And the crown royal which is set upon his head. There are those in every city who cannot sleep because they cannot forget. Ahasuerus is master of one hundred and twenty and seven provinces, but not master of ten minutes sleep. (Spurgeon). V. CHRISTIANS SHALL BE BROUGHT, SHARING THE NATURE OF GOD, TO SHARE ALSO HIS ETERNAL HOME. In the night between Esther's two drinking-feasts, the king. Probably some high officer of state was required to be always in attendance upon the monarch, to take his orders at any moment. What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor? From this his friends read him his doom, which is executed in the next chapter, Esther 6:12-14. But the only thing left for his ambition to aspire to was such a public and resplendent exhibition of the royal delight in him as that which he described. The brief description which follows the statement, that "the king's sleep fled that night," argues that what ensued happened all in close connection, and so as to end with an hour that found men gathered in their usual way in the gate, and Haman arrived (doubtless not late) in the court. and do all that you've said for Mordecai: see that nothing is lacking ( Esther 6:10 ). And all this he did to the man whom he most hated, and for whom he had erected a gallows. The king of Persia could not at will command sleep. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Deeds in such a case are better than words. ESTHER CHAPTER 6 KJV - King James Bible Online How this could have happened we do not know. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles. a. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. See the last words of Esther 2:1-23. The beneficent nature of the results of that nightopportune, to the exact moment of timeand the exceeding greatness of them evidence together a merciful wakeful Providence. ERROR. Esther 6 NKJV - The King Honors Mordecai - That night - Bible Gateway Bible Text Commentaries by David Guzik - Blue Letter Bible These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. Now Haman had just entered the outer court. It was customary for "royal benefactors" to be lavishly rewarded with riches, jewels, offices, or favour. But the tide has now turned. II. Esther 6 Bible Commentary - Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Christianity Esther Chapter 6 Summary, Audio & Text (KJV) - Totally History The king will have no more delay in a matter which has been delayed far too long. (12-14) Commentary on Esther 6:1-3 (Read Esther 6:1-3) The providence of God rules over the smallest concerns of men. Esther - Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary - StudyLight.org It sometimes seems as though the satire of circumstance and human event could go no further. What does Esther 6:13 mean? | BibleRef.com Now those who had aided and abetted the unprincipled favourite foresee that he will be disgraced, and that his devices will all be brought to nothing. Probably figured he'd go to sleep while they were reading. Another seeming chance caused the reader to include in what he read the account of Bigthan's and Teresh's conspiracy (verse 2). He said, "You can't believe what's happened to me." By rules of policy, because Hamans reputation and interest was hereby sinking, and Mordecai (whom they understood to be a man of great wisdom, and courage, and government of himself) was now got into the kings favour, and thereby was likely to gain an opportunity of making his addresses to the king, who being of a mild disposition, might easily be moved to a dislike (if not revocation) of his own bloody decree, and consequently to a detestation of that person who had procured it. These persons ventured on a prediction. Then said his wise men The magicians, whom, after the Persian manner, he had called together, to consult upon this strange emergency. And rightly so. Haman is to "hasten, and confer the honour at once. It was a triumph that might be justly enjoyed, and one too that promised greater things. "And so in the morning, when Haman came whistling in, the king said to Haman, Haman, what should the king do for the man that he seeks to honor very highly? Zeresh told him that "if Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him," etc. Hamans humiliation and defeat (5:1-7:10). It is tOO customary for the great to take all services as a matter of course. Apart from the praise and recompense of man, it is worth while to do right, to act faithfully; for there is one Sovereign that does not overlook, and is sure to bless in his own time and way. I. Haman, thinking that the honour was for himself, suggested an extravagant public show of the kings favour (6-9). This verse introduces the second part of the narrative. They carry on their face their condemnation, and but for this would be more reprehensible and more disastrous than they are. Or, 2. TO WHAT THIS "THOUGHT IN THE HEART" LED. It may linger, but it is on the move. Morning has probably arrived during the reading, and Haman, impatient to get the king's consent to Mordecai's execution, has come with the dawn to prefer his request. Miserable comforters were they all; they did not advise him to repent, and ask Mordecai's pardon for his bad design against him, but foretold his destiny as fatal and unavoidable. See also Esther 10:2. Haman covered his head (Esther 6:12; cf. Haman, when he hoped to be Mordecai's judge, was made his page, to his great confusion and mortification; and thus way was made for the defeat of Haman's plot and the deliverance of the Jews. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. who will give themselves no rest till the way of peace is found, till they have "peace with God through Jesus Christ." There are none anywhere so deserving and demanding, so certain to receive, the tender sympathy and delicate help of those who minister in the gospel of the Saviour. 2. Happiness is endangered. Past failures should be as "stepping-stones to higher things.". Regrets and new resolutions meet together; repentance and remorse alternate; the thoughts of happier days and the projects of more innocent ones crowd the mental rendezvousbut with dawn they have trooped away. AHASUERUS, BEING WAKEFUL DURING THE NIGHT, HAS THE BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES READ TO HIM, AND FINDS THAT MORDECAI HAS RECEIVED NO REWARD. Geneva Study BibleAnd Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. If the self-denial and earnestness with which men pursue evil and worldly things were equally exhibited by all the righteous in pursuit of the things of Christ, the world itself would soon be brought to the feet of God. 1. Esther 6:13 NIV - and told Zeresh his wife and all his - Bible Gateway But this is a sentiment that could scarcely be expected to proceed from the mouth of heathens, such as these were. "Humble yourselves before the mighty hand of God." The king's question. So the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the kings palace to suggest that the king hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. IV. 3 Ways Jesus Shows Us How to Practice Hospitality, 3 Times Christians Actually Should Judge Others, 7 Short but Mighty Lessons from the Book of James, When it Comes to Miracles, God Does it His Way. The passing honours of the world make no change in those who are weighted with the pursuit of honours which the world cannot give. Sometimes men tell their good fortune and hide the bad; and, on the other hand, some husbands make their wives miserable from fear of approaching disaster. David has been happy to be part of the Blue Letter Bible . Esther 6:14 - Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary - StudyLight.org 6 That night [ a]the king could not sleep. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. Verse Esther 6:6. The means employed are like those of Divine operation, very simple, awhile mistakable for most natural events. Both had to acknowledge distinguishing mercies which the preceding day bad brought. They foretell. Haman had recourse to his wife, the wise men, and his friends, only yesterday; and they advised that a gallows should be reared, and that the king should be petitioned that Mordecai might there be hanged. He had been made an instrument in another man's honour, and had suffered a disappointment; but otherwise he was situated as on the day preceding, when he "went forth" from the palace "joyful and with a glad heart" (Esther 5:9). Generally, how soon they do pass away, like the dreams of deep sleep. He soon found that the great service of Mordecai had been unacknowledged. Hitherto Mordecai has been depressed, and Haman has been exalted. It was natural that Haman, after the favour shown him on the preceding day, should imagine himself the person aimed at, and should therefore fix upon the very highest honour that was within the range of his conceptions (verses 8, 9). The rise and fall of favourites at court was a familiar spectacle. Among all unjust and partial judges, was there ever any more unjust? And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. They shut their book at night; but have soon to sigh, "Oh God! Esther 6:13 Commentaries: Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all They live, and to good purpose. Clarke, Adam. But what we have before us is no superficial critique, it is the pronouncement of the authoritative Spirit of all truth himself. II. Esther 6:6 - Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary - StudyLight.org ", To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Ahasuerus reigned from 485 to 464 BC. to the stake, in the days of the Marian persecution. That Providence is ever wakeful when men are most deep asleep, but is not then least wakeful when sometimes it bids us wake and keeps us sleepless.B. Haman, who came to incense the king against him, is employed as an instrument of the king's favour to him, Esther 6:4-11. The answer of Haman was shaped by his own desires. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, "If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish origin, you will not overcome him, but will surely fall before him." New American Standard Version Whom would the king delight to honor more than me? The horse that the king rideth upon. Esther 6:14 means that Haman hastened to go to the banquet. Nothing is baser than ingratitude. And Haman told Zeresh his wife, and all his friends, every thing that had befallen him How he was prevented speaking to the king on this errand he went; instead of which, he had the mortification of being obliged to do the honour to Mordecai which he thought would never have been given to any but himself, and so related the whole affair as above: then said his wise men; before called his friends; perhaps they were magicians and soothsayers he kept in his house, to advise with about the proper methods and times of advancing himself, and destroying his enemies: and Zeresh his wife unto him; who joined with the wise men in giving her opinion, and who set up for a knowing woman, and of whom Haman thought highly: if Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews; as it was said he was; and therefore Haman had vowed and plotted revenge on the people of the Jews for his sake: before whom thou hast begun to fall; as he did, by being obliged to execute the king's will in doing him so much honour: thou shall not prevail against him; to get him hanged, or his people destroyed, though he had prepared a gallows for the one, and had got an edict for the other: but shall surely fall before him: which might be concluded from his being set above him, who would not fail of using his power and interest to crush him, who had showed himself to be such an implacable enemy to him; or they might have some knowledge of the history of the Jews, and of what wonderful things God often did for them, in defeating the designs of their enemies, and in raising them up from a low to an high estate. We may request cookies to be set on your device. Honour is well bestowed on those that do not think themselves above their business. what a reversing of things. To his unspeakable chagrin, Haman found that the royal hand was about to distribute favour to his bitterest foe, and thus pierce his soul by kindness to another. There will be no sleeplessness like that of which we have spoken; no weary tossing, no heart-ache, no distress, no agitation. Some are hurried on by selfishness headlong. The book of records of the chronicles. This morning that enemy is in favour; his own position is imperilled; his vaunting seems vain; his prospects gloomy. Bigthana. He was in the court of the palace while the king was yet having the chronicles read to him, resolved to seize the first moment to get permission to hang the Jew. 3. The rest were accurately timed to it. Pulpit Commentary Esther 6:1 On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. The King Honors Mordecai. V. THE SLEEPLESS WHOM WE HOPE TO JOIN. A man of evil does not easily suspect good feeling or good purpose in any associate. Something must be done at once to remedy the neglect, some agent must be found to set it right, and so the king asks, "Who is in the court?" Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. 2. The two things that might have been expected to constitute a cause evidently exert no influence. And what is your request, up to half the kingdom? CHRISTIANS ARE HONOURED IN BEING MADE "KINGS AND PRIESTS UNTO GOD." But he seems to have had a presentiment of impending calamity. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. The king said, Who is in the court? He covers his head, as not daring to look any one in the face, as fearing that disgrace and disaster are at hand. There is judgment even in this world. (a) is intrinsically the more worth having; (c) "sanctifies and satisfies" the heart; and. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. He might well have used the language of Job"Miserable comforters are ye all!" Psalms 44:15). King Ahasuerus cannot sleep, and he can choose 20 different diversions to fill his sleepless night but he commands that a book be brought to him and read. That night the king could not sleep. It is not the seed of selfishness, but the germ of generosity.C. There are times for all when it is tight and needful to think of self, and to act for what shall seem, on the whole, the best for self. b. He then learnt that Haman had prepared to execute the man who had saved the kings life. The honour which Mordecai received was indeed, in its circumstances, very unusual, yet perhaps not unparalleled. ESTHER 6 - Free Bible Commentary This public honour would strengthen Esther, and have some effect on the king. The loss of the power to sleep is not confined to any position, though it is perhaps more common amongst the rich than the poor. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered. Esther 6:10. No doubt God was in the restlessness. No man can suffer alone. 2. In either alternative there was a moral strangeness and significance about it. A humble and good man, but one dishonoured, is in supreme danger. Then the king said to Haman, Hurry, take the robe and the horse, as you have suggested, and do so for Mordecai the Jew who sits within the kings gate! Haman thought that the honour given him by the queen showed that she, as well as the king, was pleased with him and agreed with his anti-Jewish policy. Esther 6:13 Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything Esther 6:13 - NLT - When Haman told his wife, Zer - Christianity He could not bear it. He suffered himself to be arrayed in the "royal apparel," he mounted the "horse that the king rode upon," and was led with acclamation through the streets (Esther 6:8-11). "On the head of which a crown royal is set" ( Esther 6:8 ). With this evil presage ringing in his ears, Haman quitted his house, and accompanied the palace eunuchs who had been sent to conduct him to Esther's second banquet. Your star is in a bad position, man. Esther 6 Bible Commentary - Matthew Henry (complete) - Christianity