Esther 4:8

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.

The copy

Esther 3:14

To charge

Esther 2:20

1 Timothy 6:13

To make supplication

Request

General references

Jeremiah 38:26

Bible References

The copy

A copy of the edict to be decreed as law in every province was published to all the peoples, so that they would be ready for this day.

To charge

Esther had not revealed her family or her people [that is, her Jewish background], just as Mordecai had instructed her; for Esther did what Mordecai told her just as when she was under his care.

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and [in the presence] of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession [in His testimony] before Pontius Pilate,

To make supplication

For though I were righteous, I could not answer.
I must appeal for mercy to my Opponent and Judge.

The wrath of a king is like a messenger of death,
But a wise man will appease it.

If the temper of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post [showing resistance], because composure and calmness prevent great offenses.

Now Herod [Agrippa I] was extremely angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; and their delegates came to him in a united group, and after persuading Blastus, the king’s chamberlain [to support their cause], they asked for peace, because their country was fed by [imports of grain and other goods from] the king’s country.

Request

Then Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be spared as my petition, and my people [be spared] as my request;

For how can I endure to see the tragedy that will happen to my people? Or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?”

and I said to the king, “Let the king live forever. Why should my face not be sad when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies desolate and its gates have been consumed by fire?”

The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
He turns it whichever way He wishes.

General references

then you are to say to them, ‘I was presenting my [humble] petition and plea to the king so that he would not send me back to Jonathan’s house to die there.’”