Chapter 4

1The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the {g} city Shushan was perplexed.
(g) That is, the Jews that were in Shushan.

2And came even before the king's {a} gate: for none [might] enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.
(a) Because he would inform Esther of this cruel proclamation.

14For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, [then] shall there enlargement and deliverance {b} arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for {c} [such] a time as this?
(b) Thus Mordecai spoke in the confidence of that faith which all God's children should have; which is that God will deliver them, though all worldly means fail. (c) To deliver God's Church out of these present dangers.

16Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which [is] not according to the law: and if I perish, {d} I perish.
(d) I will put my life in danger and refer the success to God, seeing it is for his glory and the deliverance of his Church.

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