19 Therefore the Jews H3064 of the villages, H6521 that dwelt H3427 in the unwalled H6519 towns, H5892 made H6213 the fourteenth H702 H6240 day H3117 of the month H2320 Adar H143 a day of gladness H8057 and feasting, H4960 and a good H2896 day, H3117 and of sending H4916 portions H4490 one H376 to another. H7453
20 And Mordecai H4782 wrote H3789 these things, H1697 and sent H7971 letters H5612 unto all the Jews H3064 that were in all the provinces H4082 of the king H4428 Ahasuerus, H325 both nigh H7138 and far, H7350
21 To stablish H6965 this among them, that they should keep H6213 the fourteenth H702 H6240 day H3117 of the month H2320 Adar, H143 and the fifteenth H2568 H6240 day H3117 of the same, yearly, H8141 H8141
22 As the days H3117 wherein the Jews H3064 rested H5117 from their enemies, H341 and the month H2320 which was turned H2015 unto them from sorrow H3015 to joy, H8057 and from mourning H60 into a good H2896 day: H3117 that they should make H6213 them days H3117 of feasting H4960 and joy, H8057 and of sending H4916 portions H4490 one H376 to another, H7453 and gifts H4979 to the poor. H34
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Esther 9
Commentary on Esther 9 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 9
We left two royal edicts in force, both given at the court of Shushan, one bearing date the thirteenth day of the first month, appointing that on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month then next ensuing all the Jews should be killed; another bearing date the twenty-third day of the third month, empowering the Jews, on the day appointed for their slaughter, to draw the sword in their own defence and make their part good against their enemies as well as they could. Great expectation there was, no doubt, of this day, and the issue of it. The Jews' cause was to be tried by battle and the day was fixed for the combat by authority. Their enemies resolved not to lose the advantages given them by the first edict, in hope to overpower them by numbers; the Jews relied on the goodness of their God and the justice of their cause, and resolved to make their utmost efforts against their enemies. The day comes at length; and here we are told,
Est 9:1-19
We have here a decisive battle fought between the Jews and their enemies, in which the Jews were victorious. Neither side was surprised; for both had notice of it long enough before, so that it was a fair trial of skill between them. Nor could either side call the other rebels, for they were both supported by the royal authority.
Est 9:20-32
We may well imagine how much affected Mordecai and Esther were with the triumphs of the Jews over their enemies, and how they saw the issue of that decisive day with a satisfaction proportionable to the care and concern with which they expected it. How were their hearts enlarged with joy in God and his salvation, and what new songs of praise were put into their mouths! But here we are told what course they took to spread the knowledge of it among their people, and to perpetuate the remembrance of it to posterity, for the honour of God and the encouragement of his people to trust in him at all times.