John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. Now in the twenty fourth day of this month , etc.] The seventh month, the month Tisri or September, two days after the feast of tabernacles was ended: the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them ; which were all outward tokens of mourning and humiliation, (see Joel 1:8,14 1 Samuel 4:12) which they could not show during the festival; but that being over, they return to it, (see Nehemiah 8:9).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-3 - The word will direct and quicken prayer, for by it the Spirit helps ou infirmities in prayer. The careful study of God's word will more an more discover to us our own sinfulness, and the plenteousness of his salvation; thus it calls us to mourn for sin, and to rejoice in him Every discovery of the truth of God, should render us more unwearied i attendance on his sacred word, and on his worship.
Original Hebrew וביום3117 עשׂרים6242 וארבעה702 לחדשׁ2320 הזה2088 נאספו622 בני1121 ישׂראל3478 בצום6685 ובשׂקים8242 ואדמה127 עליהם׃5921
