John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti , etc.] Have the royal estate, that was taken from Vashti, given to her, the crown royal set on her head, etc. and the thing pleased the king, and he did so ; appointed officers in all his provinces to seek out the most beautiful virgins, and bring them to his palace; so with the Chinese now, the king never marries with any of his kindred, though ever so remote; but there is sought throughout his kingdom a damsel of twelve or fourteen years, of perfect beauty, good natural parts, and well inclined to virtue; whence, for the most part, the queen is the daughter of some artisan; and in their history f78 , mention is made of one that was the daughter of a mason.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-20 - We see to what absurd practices those came, who were destitute of Divine revelation, and what need there was of the gospel of Christ, to purify men from the lusts of the flesh, and to bring them back to the original institution of marriage. Esther was preferred as queen. Thos who suggest that Esther committed sin to come at this dignity, do no consider the custom of those times and countries. Every one that the king took was married to him, and was his wife, though of a lower rank But how low is human nature sunk, when such as these are the leadin pursuits and highest worldly happiness of men! Disappointment an vexation must follow; and he most wisely consults his enjoyment, eve in this present life, who most exactly obeys the precepts of the Divin law. But let us turn to consider the wise and merciful providence of God, carrying on his deep but holy designs in the midst of all this And let no change in our condition be a pretext for forgetting ou duties to parents, or the friends who have stood in their place.
Original Hebrew והנערה5291 אשׁר834 תיטב3190 בעיני5869 המלך4428 תמלך4427 תחת8478 ושׁתי2060 וייטב3190 הדבר1697 בעיני5869 המלך4428 ויעשׂ6213 כן׃3651
