Annotations upon the remaining historicall part of the Old Testament. The second part. to wit, the books of Joshua, Judges, the two books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, and the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther : wherein first, all such passages in the text are explained as were thought likely to be questioned by any reader of ordinary capacity : secondly, in many clauses those things are discovered which are needfull and usefull to be known ... and thirdly, many places that might at first seem to contradict one another are reconciled ... / by Arthur Jackson.

CHAP. IV.

Vers. 2. ANd came even before the kings gate, &c.] This Mordecai did, that he might give notice to Esther what a decree was come forth concerning the Jews, and might advise her to interpose her self for the preservation of Gods people. But further then the kings gates he might not come, because none might enter into the kings gate clothed with sackcloth; the ground of which custome we may conceive was, either that the court pleasures might not be interrupted with any thing that had an appearance of sorrow or sadnesse; or lest the king should be wonne sud∣denly, by beholding any suppliant so sadly attired, to grant any thing that was not just and right.

Vers. 4. So Esthers maids, and her chamberlains came and told it her.] To wit, how Mordecai sate mourning before the kings gate in sackcloth and ashes and with his clothes rent, vers. 1.2. for they could not tell her of that which is related

in the foregoing verse, to wit, what wailing there was amongst the Jews in the pro∣vinces abroad.

And she sent raiment to cloth Mordecai, &c.] To wit, by way of comforting him; or that he might come into the court, yea happely that he might come to her and acquaint her with the cause of his sorrow.

Vers. 7. And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, &c.] That is, he told Hatach, whom Esther had sent to him, how Haman had taken offence at him for not bowing to him, and how in his rage he had procured a decree for the destroying the whole nation of the Jews; which was doubtlesse the more grievous to Mordecai, because it proceeded from the rage of that proud wretch against him in particular.

Vers. 8. And to charge her that she should go in unto the king, &c.] To wit, in the name of Mordecai, whom she still reverenced as her foster father, chap. 2.20. Esther did the commandment of Mordecai like as when she was brought up with him: and for a publick service of Gods Church, notwithstanding her greatnesse, he doubted not to lay a charge upon her.

Vers. 11. Whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, &c.] Thus the Persian kings provided for their own safety; and withall (as they conceived) to work the more ••aw and reverence in the hearts of the people.

But I have not been called to come in unto the king, these thirty dayes.] This she addes, as a ground of some fear lest the kings affection toward her should by some means be abated; and if so, her attempting to go in to the kings presence without a call must needs be perillous.

Vers. 16. I also and my maidens will fast likewise.] It is evident that on the third of the three dayes appointed for the fast, chap. 5.1. Esther laid by her mour∣ning weeds, and put on her royall apparell, and feasted the same day, vers. 4, 5. both the king and Haman, and there is no doubt to be made, but that she went in to the king ere the last of their fasting was ended, purposely that she might then venture to go in to the king unsent for, when her brethren were imployed in fasting and prayer, to beg of God that the king might shew her favour. Either therefore this is meant onely, that as they fasted so would the likewise, and not that she meant to fast three entire nights and dayes as they should; or else it must be said, that as they, so she likewise fasted three dayes, night and day, because she fasted three nights (for the Jews began their dayes at the evening) and part of the third day; much after the ex∣pression of the time of Christs being in the grave, Matth. 12.40. Nor needs it seem strange that she undertakes for her maids, that they should fast likewise: for first, though they were before of an other religion, yet doubtlesse she did what she might to instruct them in the knowledge of the true God: and secondly, partly by her fa∣vour at first with Hegai the kings chamberlain, chap. 2.8, 9. and partly by the re∣spect afforded her by all when she was queen, she might well have liberty to make choice of her own servants, and so might choose such as were of the stock of the Jews.

And if I perish, I perish.] That is, I referre my self to Gods good providence; not being unwilling to die, rather then shrink from my duty herein. And indeed considering what had befallen Vashti the former queen, for disobeying the kings command, she could not but think there was much danger to attempt to go in to the king against the law.