Bible Commentaries
Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible
Esther 7
Esther 7. Esther Accuses Haman, and he is Hanged on the Gibbet he had Prepared for Mordecai.—On the same day, at her second drinking-feast, Esther suddenly bursts out in impassioned denunciation of Haman (Esther 7:6), and in cries for help from his murderous intent against her and ail she loves. A passage here (Esther 7:3 f.) has fretted students, but it is simple when simply translated. "We are sold," cries Esther, "I and my race, to death and utter ruin! Would that it had been for slaves and handmaids we were sold! Then had I been silent. But in our adversary there is lacking everything that will equal the king's loss." She means that slaves sold bring in cash, but murdered subjects bring none. The king's eyes are opened: in his rage at Haman he can scarce restrain himself. When the wretched Haman, in his terror, appeals to the Jewish queen, and seems to be dishonouring her by kneeling at her couch, the king has him hurried out and away to death by impalement on the very stake he had prepared for Mordecai. The king then confers on Esther all the immense wealth that Haman had amassed, and makes Mordecai Grand Vizier. So the apocalyptic faith that Israel would receive material exaltation is fulfilled in some senses (Esther 8:1 f.).
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