For Mordecai the Jew [was] next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
Ver. 3. For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus] Proximus a primo, the king's second, as 2 Chronicles 28:11, having the next chief seat to him, as Josephus expoundeth it, and set over all the princes of that monarchy (Mετα βασιλεα εχων προεδριαν); so that he might well cry out, with that noble general Iphicrates, εξ οιων εις οια, from what mean beginnings to how great an estate and dignity am I raised! How long he held it is not recorded; all the days of his life, it is likely, for the good and comfort of the Church, though not without the envy of many of the courtiers, which he overcame more by patience than pertinancy.
And great among the Jews] A kind of king in Jeshurun, as Moses, as great among them as if he had been their proper king. There is mention made of one Mordecai, Ezra 2:2, who was of the first that went up with Zorobabel. Aben Ezra saith that this Mordecai was he; and that when he saw that the building of the city and temple went not on as was to be wished, he returned again out of Judea to Shushan, and lived about the king's court, being not known to be a Jew, till Haman was in his greatness; soon after which himself became much greater than Haman.
And accepted of the multitude of his brethren] He was their Corculum, sweet heart, as Scipio; their darling (Orbis deliciae), world of delight, as Titus; Mundi Mirabilia, wonder of the world, as Otho, the third emperor of Germany, was called. Of Mordecai it might be sung, as Cardanus did of our Edward VI,
Deliciae saecli et gloria gentis erat.
He was the delight of the generation and the glory of the nation.
Seeking the wealth of his people] Far more than his own private profit, glory, and dignity, labouring their good, both of soul and body, by all means possible, that they might have Gaius' prosperity, and be as happy as heart could wish.
And speaking peace] He was gentle and courteous to all, not like Polyphemus, who was
Nec visu facilis, nec dictu affabilis ulli.
Now affability and courtesy in high degree easily draweth men's minds, as fair flowers in the spring do passengers' eyes; Queen Elizabeth, If or instance, of whom before. Moreover, he spoke good of them, and for them, to the king, and promoted their prosperity to the utmost.
To all his seed] i.e. To all his countrymen, as if they had been his own children. And here that sweet promise of God, made to the good figs, was fulfilled. Jeremiah had persuaded Jehoiakim, and many others with him, to yield themselves up into the hands of the king of Assyria, assuring them that, so doing, they should fare far better than those that stood out. They did so, and Mordecai among the rest, as some will have it; and now see how well they speed, see the faithfulness of God in fulfilling his promises; the reward of the righteous, the triumph of trust.
Again, to all his seed] That is, posteris suis, his posterity, so some sense it; he spoke peace to all his seed, that is, prosperity to all the Jews' posterity; providing for their future happiness also, and taking course, that after his death, too, the welfare of the Church might be continued, Prolocutus est prosperitatem totius Iudaeorum posteritatis He spoke for the prosperity of the entire posterity of the Jews. (Merlin). This was dying David's care, 1 Chronicles 28:1,2, &c., and Paul's, Acts 20:29, and Peter's, 2 Epist. i. 15, and Ambrose's, of whom Theodosius, speaking, said, Dilexi virum, I have loved the man. I could not but love the man exceedingly for this, that, when he died, he was more solicitous of the Church's than of his own dangers. So was Calvin, as is testified in his life. Nay, Cicero, as he could confidently sing,
O fortunatam natam me consule Romam.
Oh fortune that made me a consul of Rome. So he elsewhere professeth, that he was in no less care what the commonwealth would do when he was dead than whiles he was yet alive.
Soli Deo Gloria in aeternum.
Glory to God in eternity