CONTENTS
The black cloud with which the church was covered, in the preceding chapter, begins in this to brighten up. Ahasuerus, unable to sleep, causeth the records of his kingdom to be read to him. This leads to Mordecai's advancement. Haman begins to meet with mortification. Esther's petition is presented.
(1) В¶ 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.
I beg the Reader to mark the opening of this chapter. The king could not sleep. We need not stay to ask wherefore he could not: but rather behold the cause in the LORD. Scripture tells us, it is the LORD that giveth his beloved sleep. But when the LORD hath any providences to be accomplished, he never can want the means to bring them about; even his enemies shall be restless, if such a state can better minister to his glory. In this sleepless state; the king commands the chronicles of his kingdom to be read to him. Reader! if you or I lay sleepless, let us read the book of GOD, or meditate in the night watches upon JESUS, and his great salvation. I beg the Reader to mark yet further, the particularity of the king's choice, in having the Chronicles of his kingdom read to him. In those eastern courts soft music was made use of, to lull the monarchs to sleep. Reading the events of his kingdom, was more likely to induce thought than to cause forgetfulness. Daniel 6:18.