John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities, throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus , etc.] Wherever they lived: to lay hand on such as sought their hurt ; who not only threatened them what they would do on this day, but were risen up in arms in quest of them: and no man could withstand them, for the fear of them fell upon all people ; when they understood that Haman was hanged, and Mordecai the Jew advanced, and that the queen herself was a Jew, and that the Jews had the royal grant to act both defensively and offensively; and no doubt but the panic was of God.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-19 - The enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them by the forme edict. If they had attempted nothing against the people of God, the would not themselves have suffered. The Jews, acting together strengthened one another. Let us learn to stand fast in one spirit, an with one mind, striving together against the enemies of our souls, wh endeavour to rob us of our faith, which is more precious than ou lives. The Jews, to the honour of their religion, showed contempt of wordly wealth, that they might make it appear they desired nothin except their own preservation. In every case the people of God shoul manifest humanity and disinterestedness, frequently refusing advantage which might lawfully be obtained. The Jews celebrated their festiva the day after they had finished their work. When we have received grea mercies from God, we ought to be speedy in making thankful returns to him.
Original Hebrew נקהלו6950 היהודים3064 בעריהם5892 בכל3605 מדינות4082 המלך4428 אחשׁורושׁ325 לשׁלח7971 יד3027 במבקשׁי1245 רעתם7451 ואישׁ376 לא3808 עמד5975 לפניהם6440 כי3588 נפל5307 פחדם6343 על5921 כל3605 העמים׃5971
