“On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.”
That is, was received into the king’s favor and presence. That he was her uncle, and had brought her up.
“And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. and besought: Heb. and she wept, and besought him”
Meaning, that he should abolish the wicked decrees, which he had made for the destruction of the Jews.
“Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.”
Or, went about to slay the Jews.
“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 no man reverse.”
This was the law of the Medes and Persians, as Dan. 6:15 , notwithstanding the king revoked the former decree granted to Haman, for Esther’s sake.
“Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month 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 writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.”
Which containeth part of May and part of June. That is, in such letters and language, as was usual in every province.
“Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for 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,”
That is, to defend themselves against all that would assail them.
“Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.”
Which hath part of February and part of March.
“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 avenge themselves on their enemies. published: Heb. revealed”
The king gave them liberty to kill all that did oppress them.
“The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.”
He showeth by these words that follow, what this light was.
“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 became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.”
Conformed themselves to the Jew’s religion.