Esther 4:16

“Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, etc.] To acquaint them with what follows; but not to continue in a body together, which might cause suspicion of an ill design in them; according to the latter Targum, 12,000 chosen priests were found in it; but that must be an exaggeration of their number; it can hardly be thought there were so many Jews in all there: and fast ye for me; that is, pray for her, that she might have courage to go in to the king, and meet with success; for prayer was the principal thing, fasting only an accessory to it, and as fitting for it, and expressive of affliction and humiliation of soul: and neither eat nor drink three days, night nor day; it…”

“so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law--The appeal of Mordecai was irresistible. Having appointed a solemn fast of three days, she expressed her firm resolution to make an appeal to the king, though she should perish in the attempt. I . . . and my maidens--It is probable that she had surrounded herself with Jewish maidens, or women who were proselytes to that religion. Next: Esther Chapter 5”

“Again the religious element shows itself. Esther’s fast could have no object but to obtain God’s favor and protection in the dangerous course on which she was about to enter. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Esther 4". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/esther-4.html. 1870. StudyLight.org © 2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”

“Fast - And pray; so as you use to do, leave off your common dinners by day, and suppers at night, and eat and drink no more than mere necessity requires; that so you may give yourselves to constant and fervent prayers. Maidens - Which she had chosen to attend upon her person, and were doubtless either of the Jewish nation, or Proselytes. Which is not, &c. - Which may belong, either to the thing only, that as they did fast, so she would. Or, rather, to the time of three days and three nights; for so she might do, though she went to the king on the third day. For the fast began at evening, and so she might continue her fast three whole nights, and two whole days, and the greatest part of the…”

“4:16 fast for me: Esther was convinced, but she wanted as many Jews as possible to pray that God would intervene to save her life. • Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day: A total fast without any food or water often lasted only one day (Lev 16:29-31; Judg 20:26). The three-day length was consistent with the seriousness of the situation and the absolute need for God’s intervention. • though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king: In spite of the danger, she determined that she must act for the sake of her people. • If I must die, I must die: She, like Mordecai, was a person of character who would do what was right in spite of personal danger.”

“present: Heb. found fast: Ch2 20:3; Isa 22:12; Joe 1:14, Joe 1:15, Joe 2:12-17; Jon 3:4-9 eat nor drink: Est 5:1; Mat 12:40; Act 9:9, Act 27:33 I also: Gen 18:19; Jos 24:15; Act 10:7 if I perish: If I lose my life in the attempt to save my people, I shall lose it cheerfully. I see it is my duty to make the attempt; and, come what will, I am resolved to do it. Gen 43:14; Sa1 19:5; Sa2 10:12; Luk 9:24; Act 20:24, Act 21:13; Rom 16:4; Phi 2:30 Esther 4:17”