A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Volume 3 · Appendix · Chapter 6
Eſther CHAP. VI.
THIS Chapter contains the Advancement of Mordecai by a moſt ſtupendous Providence betwixt the firſt and ſecond Banquet.
Remark the Firſt. The Occaſion of it, which was wonderful, ver. 1, 2, 3.
Mark 1. That very Night before the Morrow (wherein Haman had reſolv'd to hang Mordecai the next Morning) the King could not ſleep, he that commanded a hundred and twenty ſeven Provinces, could not command a wink of Sleep, becauſe Sleep is the Gift of God, Pſalm 127.2. and God held his Eyes waking, Pſalm 77.4. for glorious Ends, which this Almighty Alchymiſt did extract out of ſuch a Trivial Accident, as this is generally accounted [Not to ſleep, &c.]
Mark 2. 'Tis marvelous, that the King call'd not for his Concubines or for his Muſicians to divert him, which were moſt ſuitable to his Temper, ſaith Serrarius: No, God over-rul'd it, and inclin'd him to call for his Chronicles, and directed alſo the Reader to read that paſſage therein of Mordecai ſaving the King's Life by diſcovering the Traitors: This Reading was either as a Recipe to procure Sleep, or as a Diverſion to deceive Time, that it might not be a tedious Night to him.
Mark 3. Then God cauſed the King to ask, what Reward had Mordecai receiv'd, for ſo tranſcendently a meritorious Work: Lyra ſaith, Mordecai had waited ſix Years for a Reward, and had got none, how long ſoever it was, God was not unrighteous to forget his Work and Labour of Love, Hebr. 6.10. Though this King had forgot him and was hitherto unthankful, which might the more be cauſed through the Envy of the Courtiers, eſpecially againſt him a Jew.
Remark the Second, The Inſtrument God made uſe of, for the Advancement of Mordecai muſt be Haman himſelf. N. B. The Contexture of all theſe pieces of Providence are wonderful; as 1. That the King cannot ſleep all the Night, his Mind being troubled, he knew not how or for what. 2. That the Reading of his Records ſhould laſt till Morning-light, at which time the Matters of Mordecai came to be mentioned. 3. That when the King's Memory was thus rubb'd up, his Servants attending were not diſaffected to Mordecai, though they knew him an Eye-ſore to Haman; yet they candidly declare to the King, that no Reward had been beſtowed on him. 4. That the King hereupon reſolveth to Reward Mordecai, though the greateſt of his Favourites ſhould disfavour it. 5. Yet will the King Conſult with the firſt of his Counſellours that came to the Court that Morning [What that Reward ſhould be] not determining it himſelf out of his own Deſpotical and Arbitrary Power, 'tis ſtrange he conſulted not with thoſe Gentlemen of his Bed chamber, that had told him [Nothing is yet done for him] ver. 3. 6. No, God had other Yarn on the Reel (as the Vulgar ſaying is) Haman himſelf muſt be the Counſellour, who had ſlept as little that Night as the King himſelf, through his Rage againſt, and for his Revenge upon moroſe Mordecai; therefore could he neither ſleep quietly that Night, Prov. 4.16. Eccleſ. 5.12. nor eat Eſther's Banquet the next Day, until he had got this Eye-ſore hang'd out of his ſight: So he got up early by Morning-light, and was at the Court for a Miſchief, little Dreaming how his own Gallows groan'd for himſelf, ſee much more of all theſe Steps in my Church-Hiſtory, Plot the Twentieth.
Remark the Third, The Means and Manner, how Mordecai came to be ſo highly advanced, not upon Haman's Gallows, but upon the King's Horſe, &c.
Mark 1. The King calls aloud [Who is in the outward Court?] ver. 4. now Haman was come thus early to get the King's warrant for Mordecai's Execution, before the King was engaged (ſaith Mariana) in any other State Matters. Aſſuring himſelf that he firſt coming would be firſt ſerved, &c.
Mark 2. When the King was anſwer'd, that Haman was without, he commanded him to come within, ver. 5. (for into the King's Preſence he might not come in uncalled) Eſth. 4.11. no doubt but this was a Jocund call to Haman, who went in merrily with Confidence to compaſs his Deviliſh Deſign. ver. 6. N. B. 'Tis true his haughty Wife, and flattering Friends had bid Haman [To Morrow ſpeak thou to the King] Chap. 5.14. ſo added Fuel to his Flames, and had an Hand in his coming, but principally the great Jehovah had his Holy Hand in ordering his coming at this juncture of Time, when the King had rebuk'd himſelf for his Ingratitude to his Deliverer from Death (which was far below a King, eſpecially a Perſian King, who were all famous for their Gratitude unto ſuch as merited it, as Herodotus, Xenophon and Plutarch Record) and now he was reſolved to recompence him with ſome rich Reward.
Mark 3. The King asks Haman [What ſhall be done to the Man whom the King delights to Honour?] ver. 6. He Names no Man, that he might have the more impartial Advice: We are not told whether the King knew any thing of Haman's hatred of Mordecai, however the King conceal'd Mordecai's Name by God's over-ruling hand. Dolus latet in univerſalibus, ſaith the Logician, Ʋniverſal Expreſſions are apt to deceive the Credulous, where no Particular is named: Thus it happen'd to Haman here, who making a pauſe [Said in his Heart, ſurely the King meaneth me] for I am [Beiother, Hebr.] more delightful to the King than any Man; and this he might the more preſume to think, becauſe he had not yet forfeited that Royal Favour he had received above all others. N. B. The All-knowing God knew well what this Credulous Fool ſaid in his Heart, as Pſalm 14.1. the very low Language of the Heart is well heard, and underſtood by his Omniſciency, whereof David gives God the Glory, ſaying [Thou underſtandeſt my Thoughts afar off, &c.] Pſalm 139.2, 3, &c. 'Twas God alone who knew what Haman thought in his Heart, and therefore he both declares it, and Records it here as a perpetual Brand upon this monſtrous Ambitioniſt, whoſe Heart deceiv'd him to his utter Deſtruction. N. B. We ſhould ſay in a Promiſe, ſurely my God means me in it, &c.
Mark 4. Haman under this notorious ſelf-flattery had his anſwer notably ready, ver. 7, 8. ſpeaking more like one that aſpired to the Kingdom himſelf, why elſe did he deſire the Crown Royal and the King's Horſe, &c. which in David's Day and Deeds were infallible Demonſtrations of Solomon's becoming his ſole Succeſſor, 1 Kings 1.33, &c. Then [Let Proclamation be made by ſome of the Heralds, &c.] ver. 9. this Honour Pharaoh had done to Joſeph, crying Abrech, tender Father, Hebr. or as we read it [Bow the Knee] Gen. 41.43. this Honour Haman might well imagine (had it happen'd to himſelf) would cauſe Mordecai's ſtiff Knees to bend better to his Grandeur: But alas all this Time, he little thought how his high Hope of Honour at preſent, would all end in a Rope of Diſgrace and Ruine at the laſt.
Remark the Fourth; The King's Command to Haman, ver. 10. and Haman's Execution of the King's Command, ver. 11.
Mark 1. The marvelous over-ruling Providence of God, that even Haman himſelf ſhould (to his own Torture) appoint the Honours that muſt be made for Mordecai; and that at a Time, when he came to deſire of the King that he might be hanged, and and that not at all doubting to obtain his deſire.
Mark 2. Merlin noteth here, that Haman here makes no mention of Golden Gifts or Wealthy Rewards to be given to the Man whom the King delighted to Honour, for he (thinking no Man was meant but himſelf) had Wealth already in abundance, ſo that he could afford to give the King ten thouſand Talents &c. ſo he wanted now nothing but more Honour: And though he was exalted above all the Princes, yet muſt he now Perſonate the King himſelf.
Mark 3. The King Commands Haman immediately to go forth and conferr all this Honour upon Mordecai, omitting nothing, ſave the Royal Diadem (wherein Haman had out-ſaid, ſaith Lyra, the Capacity of a Subject, while he imagin'd himſelf to have all this Honour) therefore the King mentions it not in his Charge, ver. 11. yet as Mariana obſerves, Mordecai bore the Crown Royal alſo, Chap. 8.15. Haman [nolens volens] muſt obey, he tamely becomes a Lacquey running at Mordecai's Stirrup, &c. N. B. Thus Haman, as if he had been at ſome cheating Lottery, came in to the King with his Head full of Hopes, but went out with his Heart full of Blanks, his great Expectations ended in groſs Diſappointments, which could not but go like a Dagger to his Heart, thus to Honour Mordecai, &c.
Mark 4. [Make haſte and take the Apparel, and the Horſe, &c.] ſaith the King to Haman, ver. 10. here was no time given Haman for Deliberation, nor muſt he Diſpute, but Diſpatch, where the Word of a King is (eſpecially of an abſolute Perſian King) there is Power, and who may ſay to him, what doſt thou? Eccleſ. 8.4. it was not therefore for Haman, aut Reſponſare, aut Repugnare, either to Reſpond or Refuſe, had he been allow'd the leaſt Breathing Time, either to have conſidered with himſelf or conſulted with his Friends (ſaith a Learned Interpreter) he would either have feigned himſelf Sick, or found ſome other excuſe, that he might not have done to his Enemy this Honour; but God had ſo ordered it, and the King had ſo commanded it, that it muſt be done in haſte.
Mark 5. [Do even ſo to Mordecai the Jew that ſits at the King's Gate:] ſaith the King, ver. 10. this Word muſt needs ſtabb Haman to the Heart, to Honour Him who was thus Pointed out to him where he ſat, ſo that he could not miſtake him, and now muſt be forced to honour him, whom at this time he had hoped to have hang'd out of his way, &c.
Mark 6. Haman full ſore againſt his Stomach, arays Mordecai with the Royal Apparel (whoſe Heart he would rather have torn out of his Belly) mounts him upon the King's Horſe, when he would rather have Danced upon his Grave, leads his Horſe like a Lacquey, and as a cryer proclaims before him his Fidelity to the King in ſaving his Life, which was the cauſe of this high Honour. N. B. Thus perform'd he a Triumph for Mordecai, for whom he had prepar'd a Tree, &c. Oh what a cutting Cordolium was all this to haughty Haman, &c.
Remark the Fifth, The Conſequences and contrary Effects of this ſtupendous Diſpenſation in diſappointing Haman and advancing Mordecai.
Mark 1. Mordecai returns to his old Place, ver. 12. and to his old Sackcloth (ſaith Lyra) to wait for the Iſſue, being not at all puff'd up with his new Honour, ſaith Oſiander; as he had not been before any whit daunted with Haman's threats, Chap. 5.9. The King's Horſe and Apparel are returned to the right owner. N. B. And he was as little tranſported with them, as David had been with putting on Saul's Armour: Nor doth he now envy his Superiours, nor inſult over his Inferiours, nor trouble his Equals, nor threaten his Enemies, &c. but calmly ſits down in his old Office, committing his Cauſe to God as unto a faithful Creator, 1 Pet. 4.19. according to the Guiſe of a Godly Man, Pſalm 131.1, 2. yet Hopes this former Mercy was a pledge of ſome Future, this Experience bred his Confidence.
Mark 2. But Haman hurl'd himſelf home (as Nid-caph, Hebr. ſignifies) pulling his Night-Cap over his Eyes, as aſhamed to ſee or be ſeen, ver. 12. N. B. Never was any mortal Man made more, a moſt Egregious Fool by the Immortal God (over-ſhooting the Devil in his own Bow) than Haman was here, for he made an account to have gone in merrily to the Queens ſecond Banquet; after he had truſs'd up Mordecai on the Gallows, whereas lo he doth not only miſs of gratifying his malicious mind upon Mordecai, but he is made alſo to conferr all his matchleſs Honour upon him, and that by his own Direction; yea, and that publickly through the Streets of the City, where all Men had been in an Amazement at this unexpected Honour and ſudden Glory of Mordecai, which put People to a non-plus, when they could not reconcile this Day, with Haman's Lucky Day, the thirteenth of Adar, or February. All this muſt needs Gall him profoundly, and Grieve him prodigiouſly, &c.
Mark 3. Haman conſults with his Wife and Wizzards, ver. 13. ſuch as he made uſe of (ſaith Grotius) in caſting Lots to find his lucky Day, they all concur in reading his Deſtiny from this evil Omen, this they concluded; either 1. From Rules of Politicks (ſaith A Lapide) obſerving Haman's ſinking and Mordecai's riſing in Reputation, which are frequent Caſes in Regal Courts, wherein new Favourites foil the old Ones, and more probably prudent Mordecai might give the fall to haughty Haman, in getting the bloody Edict reverſed. 2. From their own Obſervations of extraordinary Deliverances they had heard the Jews of old were bleſt with in Egypt, &c. ſaith Menochius, and of late in the Court of Cyrus, &c. ſaith Grotius, &c. 3. From Divine Inſpiration (ſaith Serrarius) God giving them this Inſtinct, as he did to the Sibylls, Balaam, and Caiaphas, &c. for his own greater Glory, and for the Comfort and Benefit of his own People. 4. Or the Devil might put this Anſwer into the Mouths of thoſe Wizzards by God's Permiſſion (ſaith Mariana) and of his Wife to make her now as cold a Comforter, as ſhe had been before a curſed Counſellour, Chap. 5.14. Haman now heartleſs and hopeleſs is haſten'd away by Harbonah, who tells him, the King and Queen waited for him at that fatal Feaſt, ver. 14.