3:2 And all the king's servants, that [were] in the king's gate,
bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded
concerning him. But Mordecai a bowed not, nor did [him]
reverence.
(a) The Persians custom was to kneel down and reverence
their kings, and such as he anointed in chief authority,
which Mordecai would not do to this ambitious and proud
man.
3:4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he
hearkened not unto them, that they b told Haman, to see
whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them
that he [was] a Jew.
(b) Thus we see that there is no one so wicked but they have
their flatterers to accuse the godly.
3:7 In the first month, that [is], the month c Nisan, in the
twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that [is],
the lot, d before Haman from day to day, and from month to
month, [to] the twelfth [month], that [is], the month e
Adar.
(c) Which contains part of March and part of April.
(d) To know what month and day would be good to attempt this
thing, that it might be successful: but God disappointed
their lots and expectations.
(e) Containing part of February and part of March.
3:8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain
people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in
all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws [are]
diverse from all people; neither keep they the f king's
laws: therefore it [is] not for the king's profit to suffer
them.
(f) These are the two arguments which commonly the
worldlings and the wicked use toward princes against the
godly, that is, the contempt of their laws and
diminishing of their profit without concern as to
whether God is pleased or displeased.
3:15 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
g city Shushan was perplexed.
