Bible Commentaries

THE KING AND THE MAIDEN

‘The king loved Esther.’

Esther 2:17

‘After these things’ (chap. 2:1) is an indefinite expression that may mark the interval, during which Xerxes invaded Greece and was ignominiously defeated.

I. It almost appears that he was filled with compunction at the memory of his treatment of Vashti, and that his counsellors made their horrible proposals with the view of diverting the royal mind from an inconsolable grief. How frequently men endeavour to drown their remorse by yielding to unbridled passion! This is the expedient of turning out demon by demon.

Hadassah means a ‘myrtle.’ This was the maiden’s Hebrew, while Esther, ‘a star,’ was her Persian name. It was not left to the choice of Esther, or of her guardian, whether she should come to the palace with the rest. Had they had any option or choice, they would not have dreamt of such a degradation. The officials decided the matter for them, and against their determination there was no dispute. Had the Hebrew girl told her nationality, it might have barred her way to the throne; but it could not have saved her from the hands of the court officials.

II. That the maiden pleased the king’s chamberlain, and ultimately the king, reminds us of Genesis 39:21.—‘The Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.’ The hand of the Lord was evidently with this lonely girl, through whom His high purposes were to be achieved; and it was of God that the king raised her to share his throne. ‘Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.’