Whom did the king afterwards advance to a high station, and what is said of the general deference paid to him? N.B. As Haman was an Amalekite, a nation whom the Israelites were commanded to extirpate, it is not unlikely that Mordecai's refusal to do obeisance to him was owing partly to this circumstance; and partly to the fact that the reverence required came too near to worship and adoration to be paid to a mortal.
What was said to him by his friends, and what was done when these remonstrances had no effect?
Are there usually those about the persons of the great who will readily stoop to any compliance in order to stand well in their favor?
Will it do for a Christian to adopt such a timeserving policy?
How did Mordecai's inflexible resolution operate upon Haman, and what revenge did he meditate ?
Does the ancient enmity of the Amalekites against Israel appear to have revived in his breast?
What is said of the lots being cast before Haman, and what was the design of this? N.B. It seems he had formed the design of cutting off the nation of the Jews, and he cast lots, or had his soothsayers to do it, in order to find out the most favorable day for the execution of the project. As Providence would have it, the propitious day was one which would not arrive till after the expiration of a whole year: this long interval gave time for Mordecai to acquaint Esther with the plot, and for her to intercede with the king ! So true is it "that the lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord."
How did he broach the matter to the king, and wit? what success? v. 8—11.
What measures were then taken to have the decree published, and what was the purport of it?
How did the king and his favorite entertain themselves at this crisis, and how was the city affected?
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