Esther 4:1

“When Mordecai perceived all that was done, etc.] By the king, at the instigation of Haman, against the Jews; which he came to the knowledge of, either by some of the conflicts or by common fame, or on the sight of the edicts which were published in Shushan; though the Jews think it was made known to him in a supernatural way, either by Elijah, as the former Targum f124, or by the Holy Ghost, as the latter: Mordecai rent his clothes: both behind and before, according to the same Targum; and this was a custom used in mourning, not only with the Jews, but with the Persians also, as Herodotus f125 relates: and put on sackcloth with ashes; upon his head, as the former Targum; which was usual in…”

“MORDECAI AND THE JEWS MOURN. (Est 4:1-14) When Mordecai perceived all that was done--Relying on the irrevocable nature of a Persian monarch's decree (Dan 6:15), Hamman made it known as soon as the royal sanction had been obtained; and Mordecai was, doubtless, among the first to hear of it. On his own account, as well as on that of his countrymen, this astounding decree must have been indescribably distressing. The acts described in this passage are, according to the Oriental fashion, expressive of the most poignant sorrow; and his approach to the gate of the palace, under the impulse of irrepressible emotions, was to make an earnest though vain appeal to the royal mercy. Access, however, to…”

“Cry - To express his deep sense of the mischief coming upon his people. It was bravely done, thus publickly to espouse a just cause though it seemed to be a desperate one. Esther 4:2”

“4:1 Mordecai’s dramatic response showed extreme grief and mourning (see 2 Sam 1:11; Ezra 9; Jon 3:5-9).”

“all that: Est 3:8-13 rent: Sa2 1:11; Job 1:20; Jon 3:4-9; Act 14:14 with ashes: Est 4:3; Jos 7:6; Sa2 13:19; Job 2:8, Job 42:6; Isa 58:5; Eze 27:30; Dan 9:3; Jon 3:6; Mat 11:21 and cried: Mordecai gave every demonstration of the most poignant grief. Nor did he hide this from the city; and the Greek says that he uttered these words aloud: Αιρεται εθνος μηδεν ηδικηκος, "A people is going to be destroyed who have done no evil." Gen 27:34; Isa 15:4, Isa 22:4; Eze 21:6, Eze 27:31; Mic 1:8; Zep 1:14; Rev 18:17-19 Esther 4:3”

“Mordochai learnt all that was done, - not only what had been openly proclaimed, but, as is shown by Est 4:7, also the transaction between the king and Haman. Then he rent his garments, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, making loud and bitter lamentation. Comp. on the last words, Gen 27:34. The combination of אפר with שׂק ילבּשׁ is an abbreviation for: put on a hairy garment and spread ashes upon his head, in sign of deep grief; comp. Dan 9:3; Job 2:12, and elsewhere. Est 4:2 And came even before the king's gate, i.e., according to Est 4:6, the open space before the entrance to the royal palace; for none might enter wearing mourning. לבוא אין, there is no…”