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Providence recommends Mordecai to the king's favour, ver. 1 - 3.
Haman is constrained publickly to honour him thro' the city, ver. 4 - 11.
His friends foretell his doom, ver. 12, 13,
He goes to the banquet, ver. 14.
1: Sleep - How vain are all the contrivances of foolish man against
the wise and omnipotent God, who hath the hearts and hands of kings and
all men perfectly at his disposal, and can by such trivial accidents (as
they are accounted) change their minds, and produce such terrible effects.
Were read - His mind being troubled he knew not how, nor why, he chuses
this for a diversion, God putting this thought into him, for otherwise
he might have diverted himself, as he used to do, with his wives or
concubines, or voices and instruments of musick, which were far more
agreeable to his temper.
3: Nothing - He hath had no recompence for this great and good
service. Which might either happen through the king's forgetfulness;
or through the envy of the courtiers; or because he was a Jew, and
therefore odious and contemptible.
4: Haman - Early in the morning, because his malice would not suffer
him to sleep; and he was impatient 'till he had executed his revenge; and
was resolved to watch for the very first opportunity of speaking to the
king, before he was engaged in other matters. Outward court - Where he
waited; because it was dangerous to come into the inner court without
special license, (Es 4:11).
6: Man - He names none, because he would have the more impartial
answer. And probably knew nothing of the difference between Haman
and Mordecai. Thought - As he had great reason to do, because of the
favour which the king had shewed to him above all others.
8: Royal apparel - His outward garment, which was made of purple,
interwoven with gold, as Justin and Cartius relate.
12: Gate - To his former place; shewing that as he was not
overwhelmed by Haman's threats, so he was not puffed up with
this honour. Cover'd - In token of his shame and grief for his
unexpected disappointment, and for the great honour done to his
abhorred adversary, by his own hands, and with his own public disgrace.
13: Wise men - The magicians, whom after the Persian manner he
had called together to consult upon this strange emergency.
14: To bring - Who was now slack to go thither, by reason of the
great dejection of his own mind.
