1

1 Now it came to pass in the days of Also called Darius, who was now the favourite monarch and had the government of the Medes, Persians and Chaldeans. Some think he was Darius Hystaspis also called Artaxerxes. Ahasuerus, (this [is] Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, [over] an (Dan_6:1) makes mention of only 120 leaving out the number that are imperfect as the scripture uses in various places. hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) The Argument - Because of the variety of names, by which they used to call their kings, and the number of years in which the Hebrews and the Greeks vary, various authors write concerning that Ahasuerus but is seems in (Dan_6:1, Dan_9:1) that he was Darius king of the Medes and son of Astyages also called Ahasuerus which was a name of honour and signified great and chief as chief head. In this is declared the great mercies of God toward his church: who never fails them in their greatest dangers, but when all hope of worldly help fades, he stirs up some, by whom he sends comfort and deliverance. In this also is described the ambition, pride and cruelty of the wicked when they come to honour and their sudden fall when they are at their highest and how God preserves and prefers them who are zealous of his glory and have a care and love for their brethren.

2 [That] in those days, when the king Ahasuerus That is, had rest and quietness. sat on the throne of his kingdom, which [was] in Shushan the palace,

3 In the third yeere of his reigne, he made a feast vnto all his princes and his seruants, euen the power of Persia and Media, and to the captaines and gouernours of the prouinces which were before him,

4 That he might shewe the riches & glorie of his kingdome, and the honour of his great maiestie many dayes, euen an hundreth and foure score dayes.

5 And when these dayes were expired, the King made a feast to all the people that were founde in the palace of Shushan, both vnto great and small, seuen dayes, in the court of the garden of the Kings palace,

6 [Where were] white, green, and blue, [hangings], fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the Which they used in those countries instead of tables. beds [were of] gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.

7 And they gave [them] drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the As was befitting for so magnificent a king. state of the king.

8 And the drinking [was] according to the law; none did No one was forced to drink more than it pleased him. compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.

9 The Queene Vashti made a feast also for the women in the royall house of King Ahashuerosh.

10 On the Which was the last day of the feast that the king made for the people as in (Est_1:5). seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,

11 To bring Queene Vashti before the King with the crowne royall, that he might shewe the people and the princes her beautie: for shee was fayre to looke vpon.

12 But the Queene Vashti refused to come at the Kings worde, which he had giuen in charge to the eunuches: therefore the King was very angry, and his wrath kindled in him.

13 Then the king said to the wise men, Who had experience in things as they had learned by diligent marking in continuance of time. which knew the times, (for so [was] the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment:

14 And the next unto him [was] Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, [and] Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the Who were his chief counsellors that always had access to him. king's face, [and] which sat the first in the kingdom;)

15 What shal we do vnto the Queene Vashti according to the law, because she did not according to the worde of the King Ahashuerosh by the commission of the eunuches?

16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done By her disobedience she has given an example to all women to do the same to their husbands. wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that [are] in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.

17 For [this] That is, her disobedience. deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.

18 [Likewise] shall the Meaning, that they would take the first opportunity to do the same and the rest of the women would also do the same. ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus [shall there arise] too much contempt and wrath.

19 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come Let her be divorced and another made queen. no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.

20 And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is For he had under him a hundred and twenty-seven countries. great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.

21 And this saying pleased the King and the princes, and the King did according to the worde of Memucan.

22 For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should That is, that the wife should be subject to the husband and at his commandment. bear rule in his own house, and that [it] should be published according to the language of every people.

2

1 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he That is, he brought the matter again into discussion. remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed By the seven wise men of his counsel. against her.

2 And the Kings seruants that ministred vnto him, sayd, Let them seeke for the King beautifull yong virgins,

3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, The abuse of these countries was so great, that they invented many means to serve the lusts of princes and therefore they ordained wicked laws that the king might have whose daughters he would. They had many houses appointed, one for the virgins, another for the concubines and another for the queen. keeper of the women; and let their things Read what this purification was in (Est_2:12). for purification be given [them]:

4 And the mayde that shall please the King, let her reigne in the steade of Vashti; this pleased the King, and he did so.

5 In the citie of Shushan, there was a certaine Iewe, whose name was Mordecai the sonne of Iair, the sonne of Shimei, the sonne of Kish a man of Iemini,

6 Which had bene caryed away from Ierusalem with the captiuitie that was caryed away with Ieconiah King of Iudah (whom Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel had caryed away)

7 And he nourished Hadassah, that is Ester, his vncles daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, & the mayde was fayre, and beautifull to looke on: & after the death of her father, and her mother, Mordecai tooke her for his own daughter

8 And when the Kings commandement, and his decree was published, and many maydes were brought together to the palace of Shushan, vnder the hand of Hege, Ester was brought also vnto the Kings house vnder the hande of Hege the keeper of the women.

9 And the mayde pleased him, & she founde fauour in his sight: therefore he caused her things for purification to be giuen her speedily, and her state, and seuen comely maides to be giuer her out of the Kings house, and he gaue change to her and to her maydes of the best in the house of the women.

10 But Ester shewed not her people and her kinred: for Mordecai had charged her, that shee should not tell it.

11 And Mordecai walked For though she was taken away by a cruel law, yet he did not cease to have a fatherly care for her, and therefore often sought to hear of her. every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.

12 And when the course of euery mayd came, to go in to King Ahashuerosh, after that she had bene twelue moneths according to the maner of the women (for so were the dayes of their purifications accomplished, sixe moneths with oyle of myrrhe, and sixe moneths with sweete odours and in the purifying of the women:

13 Then thus came [every] maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was Whatever apparel she asked for, the eunuch was bound to give to her. given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house.

14 In the euening she went, & on the morow she returned into the second house of the women vnder the hand of Shaashgaz the Kings eunuche, which kept the concubines: shee came in to the King no more, except shee pleased the King, and that she were called by name.

15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, In which her modesty appeared because she did not seek to dress to command her beauty but sought the eunuch's appointment. appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which [is] the Which contained part of December and part of January. month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

17 And the King loued Ester aboue all the women, and shee founde grace and fauour in his sight more then all the virgins: so that he set the crowne of the kingdome vpon her head, & made her Queene instead of Vashti.

18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, [even] Esther's That is, made for her sake. feast; and he made a release He released their tribute. to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the That is, great and magnificent. state of the king.

19 And when the virgins were gathered together the That is, at the marriage of Esther, which was the second marriage for the king. second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.

20 Ester had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people, as Mordecai had charged her: for Ester did after the worde of Mordecai, as when she was nourished with him.

21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay Meaning, to kill him. hand on the king Ahasuerus.

22 And the thing was knowen to Mordecai, and he tolde it vnto Queene Ester, and Ester certified the King thereof in Mordecais name:

23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the In the chronicles of the Medes and Persians, (Est_10:2). chronicles before the king.

3

1 After these things did King Ahashuerosh promote Haman the sonne of Hammedatha the Agagite, and exalted him, and set his seate aboue all the princes that were with him.

2 And all the king's servants, that [were] in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai The Persians custom was to kneel down and reverence their kings, and such as he anointed in chief authority, which Mordecai would not do to this ambitious and proud man. bowed not, nor did [him] reverence.

3 Then the Kings seruants which were at the Kings gate, said vnto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the Kings commandement?

4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they Thus we see that there is no one so wicked but they have their flatterers to accuse the godly. told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he [was] a Jew.

5 And when Haman sawe that Mordecai bowed not the knee vnto him, nor did reuerence vnto him, then Haman was full of wrath.

6 Now he thought it too litle to lay hands onely on Mordecai: & because they had shewed him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Iewes, that were throughout the whole kingdome of Ahashuerosh, euen the people of Mordecai.

7 In the first month, that [is], the month Which contains part of March and part of April. Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that [is], the lot, To know what month and day would be good to attempt this thing, that it might be successful: but God disappointed their lots and expectations. before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, [to] the twelfth [month], that [is], the month Containing part of February and part of March. Adar.

8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws [are] diverse from all people; neither keep they the These are the two arguments which commonly the worldlings and the wicked use toward princes against the godly, that is, the contempt of their laws and diminishing of their profit without concern as to whether God is pleased or displeased. king's laws: therefore it [is] not for the king's profit to suffer them.

9 If it please the King, let it be written that they may he destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of siluer by the handes of them that haue the charge of this businesse to bring it into the Kings treasurie.

10 Then the King tooke his ring from his hand & gaue it vnto Haman the sonne of Hammedatha the Agagite the Iewes aduersarie.

11 And the King sayde vnto Haman, Let the siluer be thine, and the people to doe with them as it pleaseth thee.

12 Then were the Kings scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first moneth, and there was written (according to all that Haman commaunded) vnto the Kings officers, and to the captaines that were ouer euery prouince, and to the rulers of euery people, and to euery prouince, according to the writing thereof, and to euery people according to their language: in the name of King Ahashuerosh was it written, and sealed with the Kings ring.

13 And the letters were sent by postes into all the Kings prouinces, to roote out, to kill and to destroy all the Iewes, both yong & olde, children and women, in one day vpon the thirteenth day of the twelft moneth, (which is the moneth Adar) and to spoyle them as a pray. {\cf2 (13:1) The copie of the letters was this, The great King Artaxerxes writeth these thinges to the princes and gouernours that are vnder him from India vnto Ethiopia in an hundreth and seuen and twentie prouinces. (13:2) When I was made Lord ouer many people, and had subdued the whole earth vnto my dominion, I would not exalt my selfe by the reason of my power, but purposed with equitie alway and gentlenesse to gouerne my subiects, and wholy to set them in a peaceable life, and thereby to bring my kingdome vnto tranquilitie, that men might safely goe thorow on euery side, and to renewe peace againe, which all men desire. (13:3) Now when I asked my counsellers how these things might be brought to passe, one that was conuersant with vs, of excellent wisdome, and constant in good wil, and shewed him selfe to be of sure fidelitie, which had the second place in the kingdome, euen Aman, (13:4) Declared vnto vs, that in all nations there was scattered abroad a rebellious people, that had lawes contrary to all people, and haue alway despised the commandements of Kings, and so that this generall empire, that we haue begunne, cannot be gouerned without offence. (13:5) Seeing nowe wee perceiue, that this people alone are altogether contrary vnto euery man, vsing strange and other maner of lawes, and hauing an euill opinion of our doings, and goe about to stablish wicked matters, that our kingdome should not come to good estate, (13:6) Therefore haue we comaunded, that all they that are appointed in writing vnto you by Aman (which is ordeined ouer ye affaires, & is as our second father) shall all with their wiues and children be destroyed & rooted out with ye sword of their enemies without all mercy, and that none be spared the fourtenth day of the twelfth moneth Adar of this yeere, (13:7) That they which of olde, and nowe also haue euer bene rebellious, may in one day with violence be thrust downe into the hell, to the intent that after this time our affaires may bee without troubles, and well gouerned in all pointes.}

14 The contents of the writing was, that there shoulde be giuen a commandement in all prouinces, and published vnto all people, that they should be ready against the same day.

15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the That is, the Jews that were in Shushan. city Shushan was perplexed.

4

1 Now when Mordecai perceiued all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackecloth and ashes, and went out into the middes of the citie, and cryed with a great crye, and a bitter.

2 And came even before the king's Because he would inform Esther of this cruel proclamation. gate: for none [might] enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.

3 And in euery prouince, and place, whither the Kings charge and his commission came, there was great sorowe among the Iewes, and fasting, and weeping and mourning, and many laye in sackecloth and in ashes.

4 Then Esters maydes and her eunuches came and tolde it her: therefore the Queene was very heauie, and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackecloth from him, but he receiued it not.

5 Then called Ester Hatach one of the Kings eunuches, whom he had appointed to serue her, and gaue him a commandement vnto Mordecai, to knowe what it was, and why it was.

6 So Hatach went foorth to Mordecai vnto the streete of the citie, which was before the Kings gate.

7 And Mordecai tolde him of all that which had come vnto him, and of the summe of the siluer that Haman had promised to pay vnto the Kings treasures, because of the Iewes, for to destroy them.

8 Also he gaue him the copy of the writing and commission that was giuen at Shushan, to destroy them, that he might shewe it vnto Ester and declare it vnto her, and to charge her that she should goe in to the King, and make petition and supplication before him for her people.

9 So when Hatach came, he told Ester the wordes of Mordecai.

10 Then Ester sayde vnto Hatach, and commaunded him to say vnto Mordecai,

11 All the Kings seruants and the people of the Kings prouinces doe knowe, that whosoeuer, man or woman, that commeth to the King into the inner court, which is not called, there is a law of his, that he shall dye, except him to whom the King holdeth out the golden rodde, that he may liue. Now I haue not bene called to come vnto the King these thirtie dayes.

12 And they certified Mordecai of Esters wordes.

13 And Mordecai saide, that they should answere Ester thus, Thinke not with thy selfe that thou shalt escape in the Kings house, more then all the Iewes.

14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, [then] shall there enlargement and deliverance Thus Mordecai spoke in the confidence of that faith which all God's children should have; which is that God will deliver them, though all worldly means fail. arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for To deliver God's Church out of these present dangers. [such] a time as this?

15 Then Ester commanded to answere Mordecai,

16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which [is] not according to the law: and if I perish, I will put my life in danger and refer the success to God, seeing it is for his glory and the deliverance of his Church. I perish.

17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Ester had commaunded him. {\cf2 (13:8) Then Mardocheus thought vpon all ye workes and of the Lord, and made his prayer vnto him, (13:9) Saying, O Lord, Lord, the King Almighty (for all things are in thy power) & if thou hast appointed to saue Israel, there is no man that can withstand thee. (13:10) For thou hast made heauen and earth, and all the wonderous things vnder the heauen. (13:11) Thou art Lorde of all thinges, and there is no man that can resist thee, which art the Lord. (13:12) Thou knowest all things, and thou knowest, Lord, that it was neither of malice, nor presumption, nor for any desire of glory, that I did this, and not bowe downe to proude Aman. (13:13) For I woulde haue bene content with good will for the saluation of Israel, to haue kist the sole of his feete. (13:14) But I did it, because I would not preferre the honour of a man aboue the glory of God, & would not worship any but onely thee, my Lorde, and this haue I not done of pride. (13:15) And therefore, O Lord God and King, haue mercy vpon thy people: for they imagine how they may bring vs to naught, yea, they would destroy the inheritance, that hath bin thine from the beginning. (13:16) Despise not the portion, which thou hast deliuered out of Egypt for thine owne selfe. (13:17) Heare my prayer, and bee mercifull vnto thy portion: turne our sorow into ioy, that we may liue, O Lord, and praise thy Name: shut not the mouthes of them that praise thee. (13:18) All Israel in like maner cried most earnestly vnto the Lord, because that death was before their eyes. \par (14:1) Qveene Esther also, being in danger of death, resorted vnto the Lord, (14:2) And layd away her glorious apparell, and put on the garments of sighing, and mourning. In the stead of precious oyntment, she scattered ashes, and dongue vpon her head: and she humbled her body greatly with fasting, and all the places of her ioy filled she with the heare that she pluckt off. (14:3) And she prayed vnto the Lord God of Israel, saying, O my Lorde, thou onely art our King: helpe me desolate woman, which haue no helper but thee. (14:4) For my danger is at hand. (14:5) From my youth vp I haue heard in the kinred of my father, that thou, O Lord, tookest Israel from among all people, and our fathers from their predecessours for a perpetuall inheritance, and thou hast performed that which thou didest promise them. (14:6) Now Lord, we haue sinned before thee: therefore hast thou giuen vs into ye hands of our enemies. (14:7) Because we worshipped their gods, O Lorde, thou art righteous. (14:8) Neuerthelesse, it satisfieth them not, that we are in bitter captiuitie, but they haue stroken hands with their idoles, (14:9) That they wil abolish the thing that thou with thy mouth hast ordeined, & destroy thine inheritace, to shut vp the mouth of them that praise thee, and to quench the glory of thy Temple, and of thine altar, (14:10) And to open the mouths of the heathen, that they may praise the power of the idoles, and to magnifie a fleshly King for euer. (14:11) O Lord, giue not thy scepter vnto them that be nothing, lest they laugh vs to scorne in our miserie: but turne their deuise vpon theselues, and make him an example, that hath begunne the same against vs. (14:12) Thinke vpon vs, O Lord, and shewe thy selfe vnto vs in the time of our distresse, and strengthen me, O King of gods, and Lord of all power. (14:13) Giue me an eloquent speach in my mouth before the Lion: turne his heart to hate our enemie, to destroy him, and all such as consent vnto him. (14:14) But deliuer vs with thine hand, and helpe me that am solitary, which haue no defence but onely thee. (14:15) Thou knowest all things, O Lord: thou knowest, that I hate the glory of the vnrighteous, and that I abhorre the bed of the vncircumcised, and of all the heathen. (14:16) Thou knowest my necessitie: for I hate this token of my preeminence, which I beare vpon mine head, what time as I must shewe my selfe, and that I abhorre it as a menstruous cloth, and that I weare it not when I am alone by my selfe, (14:17) And that I thine handmayde haue not eaten at Amans table, and that I haue had no pleasure in the Kings feast, nor drunke the wine of the drinke offerings, (14:18) And that I thine handmayde haue no ioye since the day that I was brought hither, vntill this day, but in thee, O Lord God of Abraham. (14:19) O thou mighty God aboue al, heare the voyce of them, that haue none other hope, & deliuer vs out of the hand of ye wicked, & deliuer me out of my feare.}

5

1 Now it came to pass on the third That is, after the Jews had begun to fast. day, that Esther put on [her] royal [apparel], and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.

2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, [that] she obtained favour in his sight: and the king Which was a sign that her coming was agreeable to him, (Est_4:11). held out to Esther the golden sceptre that [was] in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what [is] thy request? it shall be even Meaning by this that whatever she asked would be granted as in (Mar_6:23). given thee to the half of the kingdom.

4 Then saide Ester, If it please the King, let the King & Haman come this day vnto the banket, that I haue prepared for him.

5 And the King sayd, Cause Haman to make haste that he may doe as Ester hath sayde. So the King and Haman came to the banket that Ester had prepared.

6 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of Because they used to drink excessively in their banquets they called the banquet by that which was most in use or esteemed. wine, What [is] thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what [is] thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

7 Then answered Ester, and sayd, My petition and my request is,

8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath I will declare what I demand. said.

9 Then went Haman forth the same day ioyfull and with a glad heart. But when Haman sawe Mordecai in the Kings gate, that he stoode not vp, nor moued for him, then was Haman full of indignation at Mordecai.

10 Neuerthelesse Haman refrayned himselfe: and when he came home, he sent, and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.

11 And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all [the things] wherein the king had Thus the wicked when they are promoted instead of acknowledging their charge and humbling themselves, wax ambitious, disdainful and cruel. promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

12 Haman sayde moreouer, Yea, Ester the Queene did let no man come in with the King to the banket that she had prepared, saue me: and to morowe am I bidden vnto her also with the King.

13 But al this doth nothing auaile me, as long as I see Mordecai ye Iewe sitting at ye Kings gate.

14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty Meaning, the highest that could be found. cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.

6

1 The same night the King slept not, & he comanded to bring ye booke of the records, and the chronicles: & they were read before ye King.

2 Then it was found written that Mordecai had tolde of Bigtana, and Teresh two of the Kings eunuches, keepers of the dore, who sought to lay hands on the King Ahashuerosh.

3 And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai For he thought it unworthy of his estate to receive a benefit and not reward it. for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.

4 And the king said, Who [is] in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to Thus while the wicked imagine the destruction of others, they themselves fall into the same pit. hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.

5 And the Kings seruants said vnto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court; the King sayd, Let him come in.

6 And when Haman came in, the King saide vnto him, What shalbe done vnto ye man, whom the King will honour? Then Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the King do honour more then to me?

7 And Haman answered the King, The man whome the King would honour,

8 Let the royal apparel be brought which the king [useth] to wear, and the Meaning by this that the king should make him next to himself as Joseph was known to be next to Pharaoh in (Gen_41:43). horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:

9 And let the raiment and the horse be deliuered by the hand of one of the Kings most noble princes, & let them apparel the man (whome the King will honour) and cause him to ride vpon the horse thorow the streete of the citie, and proclayme before him, Thus shall it be done vnto the man, whome the King will honour.

10 Then the King said to Haman, Make haste, take the rayment and the horse as thou hast said, and doe so vnto Mordecai the Iewe, that sitteth at the Kings gate: let nothing fayle of all that thou hast spoken.

11 So Haman tooke the rayment and the horse, and arayed Mordecai, and brought him on horse backe thorowe the streete of the citie, and proclaymed before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the King will honour.

12 And Mordecai came againe to the Kings gate, but Haman hasted home mourning and his head couered.

13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every [thing] that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai [be] of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, Thus God sometimes puts in the mouth of the very wicked to speak that thing which he has decreed shall come to pass. but shalt surely fall before him.

14 And while they were yet talking with him, came the Kings eunuches & hasted to bring Haman vnto the banket that Ester had prepared.

7

1 So the King and Haman came to banket with the Queene Ester.

2 And the King said againe vnto Ester on the second day at the banket of wine, What is thy petition, Queene Ester, that it may be giue thee? and what is thy request? It shalbe euen perfourmed vnto the halfe of the kingdome.

3 And Ester the Queene answered, and said, If I haue found fauour in thy sight, O King, and if it please the King, let my life be giuen me at my petition, and my people at my request.

4 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 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. countervail the king's damage.

5 Then King Ahashuerosh answered, and said vnto the Queene Ester, Who is he? and where is he that presumeth to doe thus?

6 And Ester said, The aduersarie and enemie is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afrayde before the King and the Queene.

7 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 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. evil determined against him by the king.

8 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was He fell down at the couch on which she sat and made request for his life. 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 This was the manner of the Persians, when one was out of favour with the king. covered Haman's face.

9 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 Who discovered the conspiracy against the king, (Est_2:21-22). good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.

10 So they hanged Haman on the tree, that he had prepared for Mordecai: then was the Kings wrath pacified.

8

1 On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai That is, was received into the king's favour and presence. came before the king; for Esther had told what he [was] That he was her uncle, and had brought her up. unto her.

2 And the King tooke off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gaue it vnto Mordecai: and Ester set Mordecai ouer the house of Haman.

3 And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the Meaning, that he should abolish the wicked decrees, which he had made for the destruction of the Jews. mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.

4 Then the king held out the golden Read (Est_5:2). sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,

5 And sayd, If it please the King, & if I haue found fauour in his sight, and the thing be acceptable before the King, and I please him, let it be written, that the letters of the deuice of Haman the sonne of Ammedatha the Agagite may be called againe, which he wrote to destroy the Iewes, that are in all the Kings prouinces.

6 For how can I suffer and see the euil, that shall come vnto my people? Or howe can I suffer and see the destruction of my kinred?

7 And the King Ahashuerosh sayde vnto the Queene Ester, & to Mordecai the Iewe, Behold, I haue giuen Ester the house of Haman, whome they haue hanged vpon the tree, because he layd hand vpon the Iewes.

8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal [it] with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may This was the law of the Medes and Persians, as in (Dan_6:15) nonetheless the king revoked the former decree granted to Haman for Esther's sake. no man reverse.

9 Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that [is], the month Which contains part of May and part of June. Sivan, on the three and twentieth [day] thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which [are] from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the That is, in such letters and languages as was usual in every province. writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.

10 And hee wrote in the King Ahashuerosh name, and sealed it with the Kings ring: and he sent letters by postes on horsebacke and that rode on beastes of price, as dromedaries and coltes of mares.

11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which [were] in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for That is, to defend themselves against all who would assail them. their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, [both] little ones and women, and [to take] the spoil of them for a prey,

12 Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, [namely], upon the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, which [is] the month Which has part of February and part of March. Adar.

13 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province [was] published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to The king gave them permission to kill all who oppressed them. avenge themselves on their enemies.

14 So the postes rode vpon beasts of price, and dromedaries, & went forth with speede, to execute the Kings commaundement, and the decree was giuen at Shushan the palace.

15 And Mordecai went out from the King in royall apparell of blewe, and white, and with a great crowne of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple, and the citie of Shushan reioyced and was glad.

16 The Jews had light, and He showed by the words that follow, what this light was. gladness, and joy, and honour.

17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land Conformed themselves to the Jew's religion. became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.

9

1 Now in the twelfth month, that [is], the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was This was by God's great providence, who turns the joy of the wicked into sorrow, and the tears of the godly into gladness. turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)

2 The Iewes gathered themselues together into their cities throughout all the prouinces of the King Ahashuerosh, to lay hande on such as sought their hurt, and no man coulde withstande them: for the feare of them fel vpon al people.

3 And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, Honoured them and befriended them. helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.

4 For Mordecai was great in the kings house, and the report of him went through all the prouinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.

5 Thus the Jews smote all their Who had conspired their death by the permission of the wicked Haman. enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.

6 And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed Besides the three hundred that they slew the second day, (Est_9:15). five hundred men.

7 And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,

8 And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,

9 And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vaiezatha,

10 The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but By which they declared that this was God's just judgment on the enemies of his Church as they fought not for their own gain, but to execute his vengeance. on the spoil laid they not their hand.

11 On the same day came ye nomber of those that were slayne, vnto the palace of Shushan before the King.

12 And the King sayd vnto the Queene Ester, The Iewes haue slayne in Shushan the palace and destroyed fiue hundreth men, & the ten sonnes of Haman: what haue they done in the rest of the Kings prouinces? and what is thy petition, that it may be giuen thee? or what is thy request moreouer, that it may be performed?

13 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which [are] in Shushan to do to morrow also according This she requires not out of a desire for vengeance but with zeal to see God's judgment's executed against his enemies. unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.

14 And the King charged to doe so, and the decree was giuen at Shushan, and they hanged Hamans ten sonnes.

15 So the Iewes that were in Shushan, assembled themselues vpon the fourteenth day of the moneth Adar, & slew three hundreth men in Shushan, but on the spoyle they layd not their hand.

16 But the other Jews that [were] in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for Read (Est_8:11). their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their Meaning, that they laid hands on no one that was not the enemy of God. foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,

17 On the Meaning, in all places saving Shushan. thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

18 But the Iewes that were in Shushan assembled themselues on the thirteenth day, & on the fourteenth therof, & they rested on the fifteenth of the same, and kept it a day of feasting & ioy.

19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, As the Jews do even to this day, calling it in the Persian language Purim, that is, the day of lots. made the fourteenth day of the month Adar [a day of] gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.

20 And Mordecai wrote The Jews gather from this that Mordecai wrote this book, but it seems that he wrote only these letters and decrees that follow. these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that [were] in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, [both] nigh and far,

21 Inioyning them that they shoulde keepe the fourteenth day of the moneth Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, euery yeere.

22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of He sets before our eyes the use of this feast which was for the remembrance of God's deliverance, the maintenance of mutual friendship and relief of the poor. sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.

23 And the Iewes promised to do as they had begun, & as Mordecai had written vnto them,

24 Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had Read (Est_3:7). cast Pur, that [is], the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;

25 But when That is, Esther. [Esther] came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked These are the words of the kings commandment to disannul Haman's wicked enterprise. device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.

26 Therfore they called these dayes Purim, by the name of Pur, & because of all the wordes of this letter, & of that which they had seene besides this, and of that which had come vnto them.

27 The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two Meaning, the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar. days according to their writing, and according to their [appointed] time every year;

28 And that these dayes shoulde be remembred, and kept throughout euery generation and euery familie, and euery prouince, and euery citie: euen these daies of Purim should not faile among the Iewes, and the memoriall of them should not perish from their seede.

29 And the Queene Ester ye daughter of Abihail & Mordecai the Iew wrote with al authoritie (to cofirme this letter of Purim ye second time)

30 And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, [with] Which were letters declaring to them quietness and assurance and putting them out of doubt and fear. words of peace and truth,

31 To confirm these days of Purim in their times [appointed], according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the That they would observe this feast with fasting and earnest prayer, which in Hebrew is signified by this word (they cry). fastings and their cry.

32 And the decree of Ester confirmed these words of Purim, and was written in the booke.

10

1 And the King Ahashuerosh layd a tribute vpon the land, and vpon the yles of the sea.

2 And all the actes of his power, and of his might, & the declaration of the dignitie of Mordecai, wherwith the King magnified him, are they not written in the booke of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia?

3 For Mordecai the Jew [was] next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and These three points are here set forth as commendable and necessary for him that is in authority to have the favour of the people, to procure their wealth, and to be gentle and loving to them. accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.