Esther 3:15 - The Biblical Illustrator

Bible Comments

Then were the king’s scribes called on the thirteenth day.

Fruitless preparations

I. Here is unseemly haste.

II. Here are inconsistent precursory measures. Wickedness renders a man inconsistent. Revenge impelled to action, but conscience still spoke in reproving tones. All must be done according to law. Obedience to the eternal law of right is the only method by which human lives can be rendered consistent and harmonious.

III. Here is a low estimate of human life, shown--

1. In the unmethodical nature of the slaughter designed.

2. In the indiscriminate nature of the slaughter designed.

3. In the rapacity after property. Life versus property. This decree is one of the unwritten decrees of modern civilisation.

IV. Here is wickedness bolstered up by human authority. Learn--

1. Great men should try to get a true idea of the importance of human life.

2. Statesmen should remember that the true wealth of a community is its men.

3. All ought to remember that life is ignoble when passion is allowed to rule. (W. Burrows, B. A.)

Persian postal facilities

The postal service for that age was exceedingly good, but only the king could take advantage of it. Indeed, it was one of the means used by him for the government of the empire, and was very largely, according to Herodotus, the device of this same Xerxes. Along the chief lines of travel he established, at intervals of fourteen miles, post-houses, at each of which relays of horses and couriers were always in readiness. One of these messengers, receiving an official document, rode with it at his utmost speed to the next post-house, where it was taken onward by another courier with another horse, and in this way a proclamation like that here described would reach the farthest limits of the empire in five or six weeks. (W. M. Taylor, D. D.)

Esther 3:12-15

12 Then were the king's scribesb called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.

13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.

14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.

15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.