Two of the king's chamberlains— These were two great men, who perhaps kept the door of the king's chamber; and, being either incensed at the divorce of Vashti, whose creatures they might be, or at the advancement of Esther, who they thought would in all probability raise her kinsman Mordecai above them, took disgust thereat, and so resolved to avenge themselves on the king. See Prideaux, and chap. Esther 6:2-3.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, The advancement of Esther is here recorded, with the various steps of Divine Providence that led to this wonderful event.
1. The king soon repented of the rashness which in his wine he had committed, and with deep regret parted with his beauteous queen, whom, by an unalterable law, he must see no more. Note; What is done hastily in anger, often gives cause to long and bitter remorse.
2. The courtiers, to divert the king's melancholy, and by some new object to obliterate the remembrance of Vashti, propose to him the collecting of the most beautiful damsels in his dominions, that out of them he might select the most agreeable, to reign in the stead of the divorced queen. Note; In king's courts, there are men enow who watch the monarch's eye, and appear ready ministers to all his pleasures.
3. The king approved the proposal, and Hege, the king's chamberlain, was appointed to take charge of them; and after a year for purification, that their native beauty might be heightened by the charms of art, they were then in turn to he brought to the king; and, if they pleased him not, they returned to be shut up in the seraglio while the favoured virgin was to be chosen queen.
4. Among those who were collected at Shushan was a Jewess, named Esther; an orphan, brought up under the care of her cousin-german Mordecai, a Benjamite, whose ancestor had been carried away from Jerusalem at the captivity of Jeconiah. As he, in tenderness, had shewn himself a father to her, and with daily solicitude inquired after her welfare, she, in obedience, behaved as a dutiful child, observant of his directions. He had bid her conceal her parentage, as it might be an objection to her advancement; and, as the was born in Shushan, no questions, probably, were asked of her country, and she passed for one of Persian extraction. Note; (1.) They who show to orphans parental tenderness, should meet with the grateful return of filial duty and affection. (2.) Though we must never tell a lie, we are not always obliged to speak all that we know.
5. The manners as well as the beauty of this damsel exceedingly ingratiated her to the keeper of the women, and he shewed her especial regard and kindness. When her turn came to be introduced to the king, she required no ornaments; her native beauty was sufficient distinction. She no sooner appeared, than all who saw admired her; and the king, charmed with her person, determined to fix on her head the imperial diadem. Behold a captive, a Jew, an orphan, now exalted to the royal throne of Persia! Thus God can work, and raise the poor from the dust to set them among princes.
6. At the coronation of Esther a royal feast is made, which she graced with her presence, though Vashti had refused. To heighten the general joy, a release of taxes was published through the provinces, and royal gifts bestowed; and Mordecai was now advanced to some honourable post at court, probably through Esther's influence, who retained the same respect and deference for his advice, and changed not her manners with her station, though the had still continued to conceal, as Mordecai directed, her kindred and people. Note; (1.) No change of station should make us forget our benefactors. (2.) Younger persons shew their wisdom in being guided by the counsel of their more aged and experienced friends.
2nd, We have,
1. A plot formed against the king's life by two of his servants, whom he had disgusted. Monarchs stand on a dangerous eminence: how many of them have gone down murdered to the grave! Let them learn justice, and to rule with equity, that they may engage the affections as well as the submission of their subjects.
2. The plot was discovered by Mordecai (for treasons usually transpire); and, as a loyal subject, he communicates his intelligence, through Esther, to the king. Inquisition is made, the traitors convicted and hanged, and a record entered of the faithful service that he had performed. Note; (1.) God has strange ways of bringing to light treasons and bloody designs. (2.) Concealment of any plot against the sovereign or state, is highly criminal. (3.) May every traitor meet a like reward! (4.) Good services done to us deserve to be recorded, that they may be remembered long and recompensed.