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Commentary on Esther 2 verses 21–23
This good service which Mordecai did to the government, in discovering a plot against the life of the king, is here recorded, because the mention of it will again occur to his advantage. No step is yet taken towards Haman's design of the Jews' destruction, but several steps are taken towards God's design of their deliverance, and this for one. God now gives Mordecai an opportunity of doing the king a good turn, that he might have the fairer opportunity afterwards of doing the Jews a good turn. 1. A design was laid against the king by two of his own servants, who sought to lay hands on him, not only to make him a prisoner, but to take away his life, Est 2:21. Probably they resented some affront which they thought he had given them, or some injury which he had done them. Who would be great, to be so much the object of envy? Who would be arbitrary, to be so much the object of ill-will? Princes, above any mortals, have their souls continually in their hands, and often go down slain to the pit, especially those who caused terror in the land of the living. 2. Mordecai got notice of their treason, and, by Esther's means, discovered it to the king, hereby confirming her in and recommending himself to the king's favour. How he came to the knowledge of it does not appear. Whether he overheard their discourse, or whether they offered to draw him in with them, so it was that the thing was known to him. This ought to be a warning against all traitorous and seditious practices: though men presume upon secresy, a bird of the air shall carry the voice. Mordecai, as soon as he knew it, caused it to be made known to the king, which ought to be an instruction and example to all that would be found good subjects not to conceal any bad design they know of against the prince or the public peace, for it is making a confederacy with public enemies. 3. The traitors were hanged, as they deserved, but not till their treason was, upon search, fully proved against them (Est 2:23), and the whole matter was recorded in the king's journals, with a particular remark that Mordecai was the man who discovered the treason. He was not rewarded presently, but a book of remembrance was written. Thus with respect to those who serve Christ, though their recompence is adjourned till the resurrection of the just, yet an account is kept of their work of faith and labour of love, which God is not unrighteous to forget, Heb 6:10.
Then it adds: “And it was investigated, and discovered, and both men were hung on a gibbet; and the king commanded that it be written in the record book that he should be repaid somehow for saving his life; and it was set down in the accounts, and recorded in the chronicles before the king.” The “record books” are, then, the volumes of the two Testaments which set down the rewards that await the righteous in return for their good deeds, and the punishments that await the wicked for their sins. Hence it is written in the Gospel: “The son of man is going to come in the glory of his Father, and will then repay each one according to his works” (Matthew 16). And likewise, “The wicked will come to eternal punishment, while the just come to eternal reward” (Matthew 25). Hence Paul as well writes to the Romans as follows: “For the wrath of God is unleashed upon all the wickedness and injustice of men, who repress in their injustice the truth of God who repays each according to his works; and those who seek glory, honor, and purity by patiently doing good deeds will receive eternal life, while those who trust in wickedness, because they are contentious and will not acquiesce to the truth, will receive wrath and indignation. There will be trouble and distress for every soul of an evildoer” (Romans 1 and 2). Ezekiel as well speaks about this: “The justice of the just man will be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will be upon him. When a soul has sinned, it will die” (Ezekiel 18). The Psalmist also refers to this in the same terms: “The eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and his ears attend to their prayers; the face of the Lord is upon those who do evil, that he may wipe their memory from the earth” (Psalms 33).
There is no doubt that the Scribes and Pharisees of the Jews are signified by the two eunuchs who were the caretakers of the royal house and guarded the threshold of the palace. Indeed it was said that even though they had the key to knowledge, they did not enter and did not let others enter. They wanted to rebel against the king and kill him because they were jealous of the teaching and virtue of the Savior. They constantly put him in danger and conspired with the ministers of Roman power to find a way to kill him. Therefore it is written in the gospel, “Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?’ ” And in another passage it is read, “So the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the council, and said, ‘What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take our place and people.’ ” And a bit further it is added, “So from that day on they planned to put him to death.”
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SUMMARY
Esther 2:23 details the swift and conclusive resolution of a conspiracy against King Ahasuerus. It records the discovery, investigation, and execution of two royal chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, who plotted to assassinate the king. Crucially, the verse highlights that this entire event, including Mordecai's role in exposing the plot, was meticulously documented in the official royal chronicles, setting the stage for future divine interventions and the eventual deliverance of the Jewish people.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several key literary devices. Foreshadowing is prominent, as the meticulous recording of Mordecai's loyalty in the royal chronicles directly sets up the dramatic events of Esther 6, where this very record becomes the catalyst for his exaltation and the downfall of Haman. There is also a subtle Irony at play: an act of loyalty intended to protect a pagan king ultimately serves as a crucial step in the deliverance of God's chosen people, demonstrating how divine purposes can be achieved through secular means. The phrase "hanged on a tree" also carries a Symbolic weight, representing swift and absolute justice, a theme that will recur later in the book with Haman's own fate.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 2:23 powerfully illustrates the concept of divine providence, even in a book where God is not explicitly named. The seemingly ordinary administrative act of recording Mordecai's loyalty becomes a crucial piece in God's intricate tapestry of salvation for His people. It highlights that God works through human agency, secular systems, and seemingly coincidental events to bring about His perfect will. This verse reminds us that no act of faithfulness, no matter how small or unacknowledged at the time, goes unnoticed by the sovereign God, who orchestrates all circumstances for His ultimate glory and the good of His people. It underscores the truth that God's plan is meticulously unfolding, often behind the scenes, ensuring that justice will ultimately prevail and His purposes will be accomplished.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 2:23 offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that our acts of integrity, faithfulness, and loyalty, even in seemingly mundane or unappreciated contexts, are not insignificant. Mordecai's vigilance and report, though initially only recorded in a royal archive, became the very instrument through which God would later save an entire nation. This encourages us to live with diligence and righteousness in our daily lives, trusting that God sees and remembers our deeds, even when human recognition is absent. It reinforces our faith in God's sovereign control over all circumstances, assuring us that He is actively working behind the scenes, orchestrating events for His ultimate purposes, even in a world that often seems chaotic or godless. Our faithfulness, however small, contributes to His grand design.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the "book of the chronicles" and why was its mention so important?
Answer: The "book of the chronicles" (Hebrew: sepher divrei hayyamim) refers to the official royal annals or historical records of the Persian Empire. These were meticulously kept documents detailing significant events, decrees, and acts of service or treason. Its mention in Esther 2:23 is profoundly important because it lays the groundwork for the pivotal events in Esther 6. When King Ahasuerus suffers from insomnia, he requests these very chronicles to be read to him. It is through this reading that he discovers Mordecai's unrewarded loyalty in exposing the plot, which directly leads to Mordecai's exaltation and sets in motion the reversal of Haman's evil decree against the Jews. It highlights God's providential use of seemingly mundane administrative details to achieve His redemptive purposes.
What kind of execution was "hanged on a tree" in the Persian context?
Answer: While the English translation "hanged on a tree" might suggest a gallows, in the ancient Near Eastern and specifically Persian context, the phrase "hanged on a tree" (Hebrew: talu al-etz) often refers to impalement or crucifixion. This was a severe and public form of capital punishment where the condemned was fixed to a stake or pole, either through impalement or by being nailed or tied to a cross-shaped structure. It was designed not only to execute but also to humiliate the condemned and serve as a stark deterrent to others. This method of execution is also seen in other biblical texts, such as when the five kings were hanged on trees by Joshua.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther 2:23, while detailing a secular act of justice and record-keeping, resonates with profound Christ-centered themes. The meticulous recording of Mordecai's loyalty in the royal chronicles foreshadows the divine "books" in heaven, where God records the deeds of humanity and, more importantly, the names of those who belong to Him in the Book of Life. Just as Mordecai's forgotten loyalty was eventually brought to light for his vindication and the salvation of his people, so too does God remember every act of faithfulness by His children, and His ultimate justice will prevail. The execution "on a tree" for treason, a common form of capital punishment, eerily echoes the ultimate "tree" or cross upon which Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, was hanged. He bore the curse of our treason against God, suffering the ultimate penalty for our sins, so that our names might be written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Thus, the seemingly administrative detail of Esther 2:23 points forward to the divine record-keeping that secures our eternal salvation through Christ's perfect sacrifice and the ultimate justice executed at the cross.