But the other Jews that [were] in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,
Ver. 16. But the other Jews that were, &c.] Though they were but a nation, scattered and peeled, a contemptible and feeble folk, lately destined to destruction; yet by faith they subdue kingdoms, escape the edge of the sword, out of weakness become strong, wax valiant in fight, turn to flight whole armies of the aliens, Hebrews 11:33,34, prevail and prosper against all the malignant power of Persia: thus were they helped with a little help (as it is, Dan 11:34), that God might have a great deal of glory, as indeed he had.
Gathered themselves together] United their forces, as Esther 9:2, which while our ancestors (the old Britons) did not against the Romans who invaded them, they were easily and quickly conquered. Et dum pugnabant singuli vincebantur universi, And while they fought by themselves, they were all conquored. saith Tacitus, who was here, with his father-in-law, Agricola, an eye-witness of what he writeth.
And stood for their lives] Not one whereof was lost in this hot encounter, in this sharp revenge they took off their avowed enemies. This was even a miracle of God'smercy: "Who would not fear thee, O King of nations," &c.
And had rest from their enemies] Or, That they might have rest from their enemies; who would not otherwise be quieted, but by the letting out of their life-blood; but would make an assault upon the harmless Jews, though it were to die for it; so that upon the matter they were their own deathsmen, besides the wilful loss of their immortal souls, which our Saviour showeth, Matthew 16:26, to be a loss, 1. Incomparable, 2. Irreparable.
And slew of their foes seventy and five thousand] Neither was it any dishonour to them to be God Almighty's slaughtermen. Even the good angels are executioners of God's righteous judgments, as they were at Sodom, in Sennacherib's army, and oft in the Revelation. There cannot be a better or more noble act than to do justice upon obstinate malefactors.
But they laid not their hands on the prey] They would not once foul their fingers therewith. No godly man in Scripture is taxed for covetousness, that sordid sin. See Trapp on " Est 9:10 "