Bible Commentaries

For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not ^b countervail the king's damage.

(b) Haman could not profit the king by his malice as much he would hinder him by the loss of the Jews and the tribute which he had from them.

And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath [went] into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was ^c evil determined against him by the king.

(c) His conscience accused him that as he had conspired the death of innocents, so the vengeance of God would fall on him for the same.

Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was ^d fallen upon the bed whereon Esther [was]. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they ^e covered Haman's face.

(d) He fell down at the couch on which she sat and made request for his life.

(e) This was the manner of the Persians, when one was out of favour with the king.

And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken ^f good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.

(f) Who discovered the conspiracy against the king, (Esther 2:21-22).