John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. Then the King Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen , etc.] The words in the original text lie thus, “and the King Ahasuerus said, and he said to Esther the queen”; which doubling of the word does not signify, as Jarchi suggests, that before he spoke to her by a messenger, or middle person, but, now he knew she was of a royal family, he spoke to her himself; but it is expressive of the ruffle of his mind, and the wrath and fury he was in, that he said it again and again, with a stern countenance and great vehemence of speech: who is he? and where is he ? who is the man? and where does he live? that durst presume in his heart to do so ; that has boldness, impudence, and courage enough to perpetrate so vile an action: or “that has filled his heart” f159 ; the devil no doubt filled his heart to do it, (see Acts 5:3), but the king had either forgot the decree he had granted, and the countenance he had given him to execute it; or, if he remembered it, he was now enraged that he should be drawn in to such an action by him; and perhaps till now was ignorant of Esther’s descent, and knew not that she would be involved in the decree.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - If the love of life causes earnest pleadings with those that can onl kill the body, how fervent should our prayers be to Him, who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell! How should we pray for the salvation of our relatives, friends, and all around us! When we petition great men, we must be cautious not to give them offence; eve just complaints must often be kept back. But when we approach the Kin of kings with reverence, we cannot ask or expect too much. Thoug nothing but wrath be our due, God is able and willing to do exceedin abundantly, even beyond all we can ask or think.
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 המלך4428 אחשׁורושׁ325 ויאמר559 לאסתר635 המלכה4436 מי4310 הוא1931 זה2088 ואי335 זה2088 הוא1931 אשׁר834 מלאו4390 לבו3820 לעשׂות6213 כן׃3651
