Esther 1:1-9 - Sermon Bible Commentary

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Esther 1:1-9

(with Philippians 4:5)

I. The book of Esther is to be held in everlasting remembrance, if only as showing to all ages and to all peoples how much the heavenly love and care concern themselves with those who themselves have no care to keep God's commandments, and no thought of the care and love that are concerned about them. The shepherd watches and seeks the sheep, and throws around them, unseen, protections all through the wilderness where they wander.

II. The feast of Ahasuerus was a wonderful scene. There is nothing morally great about it. There never can be about mere feasting, and splendour, and eating and drinking, and outward show. Neither, so far as we can see, is there anything morally wrong in this, at least when kept in due moderation. It was kept in moderation in this instance. There is the most prodigal abundance, and yet there is a royal wisdom in the dispensation of it. For we read that "the drinking was according to the law," and that law means "no compulsion." If we embody, the principle of moderation in our life, and walk by faith, and not by sight, then, and only then, we surmount the poor pageant in which outwardly we are moving figures; then, and only then, we cast anchor within the veil, and lay up treasure where it can never be lost.

A. Raleigh, Penny Pulpit,No. 614.

References: Esther 1:1-10. A. Raleigh, Book of Esther,p. 1.Esther 1:1-12. A. D. Davidson, Lectures on Esther,p. 9. Esther 1:10. A. Raleigh, Book of Esther,p. 24.Esther 1:13-22. A. D. Davidson, Lectures on Esther,p. 29. Esther 2:1-4. Ibid.,p. 49. Esther 2:1-20. A. Raleigh, Book of Esther,p. 48. Esther 2:5-20. A. D. Davidson, Lectures on Esther,p. 67. Esther 2:21-23 -iii. 1-5. Ibid.,p. 89. Esther 3:6-11. Ibid.,p. 108. Esther 3:12-15 -iv. 1-9. Ibid.,p. 128. 3 A. Raleigh, Book of Esther,p. 69. Esther 4:10-17. A. D. Davidson, Lectures on Esther,p. 149. Esther 4:13-14 Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xxx, No. 1777. Esther 4:14. Bishop Woodford, Occasional Sermons,vol. ii., p. 55; G. Brooks, Outlines of Sermons,p. 285; E. Monro, Practical Sermons,vol. iii., p. 245. 4 A. Raleigh, Book of Esther,p. 88. Esther 5:1-8. A. D. Davidson, Lectures on Esther,p. 171.Esther 5:6. J. Jackson Wray, Light from the Old Lamp,p. 160. Esther 5:9-14. A. D. Davidson, Lectures on Esther,p. 192.Esther 5:13. Preacher's Monthly,vol. v., p. 369; M. Nicholson, Communion with Heaven,p. 242. 5 A. Raleigh, Booh of Esther,p. 106.

Related Commentaries of Esther 1:1

Esther 1:1-9

1 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)

2 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,

3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:

4 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.

5 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were presenta in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;

6 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.

7 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royalb wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.

8 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.

9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.