And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
Ver. 21. And the saying pleased the king] Pity but itching ears should have clawing counsellors. Memucan was a fit helve for such a hatchet; and his advice fit lettuce for such lips. What marvel that such a smooth counsellor pleased the king, when as he had before given place to two such bad counsellors - Wine and Anger?
And the princes] Who perceived very likely by the king's looks and gestures, that he was much taken and tickled with Memucan's counsel; which they therefore second and subscribe to. How rare a jewel in a prince's ear is a faithful counsellor, that will deliver himself freely, non ad gratiam, sed ad veritatem; not to please, but to profit. Such a one was Agrippa to Augustus, Polybius to Scipio, Latimer to Edward VI, &c. There is safety in the multitude of counsellors, modo audeant quae sentiant, as the orator saith (Cic. pro Milone), so they dare speak out, and will not spare to do it.
And the king did according to the word of Memucan] Dicto citius, it was forthwith done. Vashti is all on the sudden divorced, and the foolish king publicly shamed. But all this was of the Lord, that Esther might be advanced, and the Church relieved. So there was a wheel within a wheel, which the wicked discern not, nor the saints consider. God oft wraps himself in a cloud, and will not be seen till afterwards. All God's dealings will appear beautiful in their seasons; though for the present we see not the contiguity and concatenation of one thing with another.