Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Esther Ch.6 / 10 Ch.s
ES:6
* Providence recommends Mordecai to the king's favour. (1-3)
Haman's counsel honours Mordecai. (4-11) Haman's friends tell
him of his danger. (12-14)
#1-3 The providence of God rules over the smallest concerns of
men. Not a sparrow falls to the ground without him. Trace the
steps which Providence took towards the advancement of Mordecai.
The king could not sleep when Providence had a design to serve,
in keeping him awake. We read of no illness that broke his
sleep, but God, whose gift sleep is, withheld it from him. He
who commanded a hundred and twenty-seven provinces, could not
command one hour's sleep.
#4-11 See how men's pride deceives them. The deceitfulness of
our own hearts appears in nothing more than in the conceit we
have of ourselves and our own performances: against which we
should constantly watch and pray. Haman thought the king loved
and valued no one but himself, but he was deceived. We should
suspect that the esteem which others profess for us, is not so
great as it seems to be, that we may not think too well of
ourselves, nor trust too much in others. How Haman is struck,
when the king bids him do honour to Mordecai the Jew, the very
man whom he hated above all men, whose ruin he was now
designing!
#12-14 Mordecai was not puffed up with his honours, he returned
to his place and the duty of it. Honour is well bestowed on
those that do not think themselves above their business. But
Haman could not bear it. What harm had it done him? But that
will break a proud man's heart, which will not break a humble
man's sleep. His doom was, out of this event, read to him by his
wife and his friends. They plainly confessed that the Jews,
though scattered through the nations, were special objects of
Divine care. Miserable comforters are they all; they did not
advise Haman to repent, but foretold his fate as unavoidable.
The wisdom of God is seen, in timing the means of his church's
deliverance, so as to manifest his own glory.