In the preceding chapters, we witnessed the Jews’ miraculous deliverance from the hands of their enemies as circumstances...
In the preceding chapters, we witnessed the Jews’ miraculous deliverance from the hands of their enemies as circumstances unfolded in astonishing and unexpected ways. But in the book’s final chapter, harsh historical reality comes to the fore. Those who have just been delivered now defend their right to exist with weapons in their hands and themselves become the destroyers of many, many people. The picture painted by the author of Esther is unattractive; even the fact that the book was written in the genre of a parable does not diminish this impression. We see at once how greatly the Old Covenant differs from the New. To a person of the Old Testament, what is happening is natural and comprehensible: if there is to be victory, it must necessarily be achieved through armed violence. And when we look at ourselves, it becomes clear how little modern humanity has advanced beyond the Old Testament way of life.
9 The Jews slay their enemies, Est 9:1-11.
A second day is granted them, Est 9:12-19.
A yearly feast is instituted, in memory of this great deliverance, Est 9:20-32.
9:2 No man - Their enemies, though they did take up arms against them, yet were easily conquered and destroyed by them.
9:6 Shushan - In the city so called. Slew - Whom they knew to be such as would watch all opportunities to destroy them; which also they might possibly now attempt to do.
9:10 But, etc - Because they would leave it to their children, that it might appear what they did was not done out of malice, or covetousness, but out of mere necessity, and by that great law of self - preservation.
9:12 What - In which doubtless many more were slain. So that I have fully granted thy petition. And yet, if thou hast any thing farther to ask, I am ready to grant it.
9:13 Let it, etc - To kill their implacable enemies. For it is not improbable that the greatest and worst of them had hidden themselves for that day; after which, the commission granted to the Jews being expired, they confidently returned to their homes. Hanged - They were slain before; now let their bodies be hanged on their father's gallows, for their greater infamy, and the terror of all others who shall presume to abuse the king in like manner, or to persuade him to execute such cruelties upon his subjects.