John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men .] Not in the royal palace, where it cannot be thought the Jews had so many enemies, or such a bloody slaughter of them should be made there; but in the city, where the palace was: and this may seem somewhat wonderful, that there should so many rise there against the Jews, so near the court, now altogether in the interest of the Jews; but these were men no doubt of Haman’s faction, and enraged at his disgrace and death, and headed by his ten sons, who took the advantage of the decree to avenge his death; the Targum says, these were princes of the house of Amalek.
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 ובשׁושׁן7800 הבירה1002 הרגו2026 היהודים3064 ואבד6 חמשׁ2568 מאות3967 אישׁ׃376
