Verses 1-14

Mordecai is Honoured

An account of how the king being reminded of Mordecai's services, and wishing to reward him, consulted Haman, and how Haman, thinking himself the object of the king's interest, counselled him, and was directed to render to Mordecai the honours he had advised.

1. The book.. chronicles] in which the chief occurrences of the king's reign, including any signal services done by his subjects (Esther 2:23), were recorded.

8. The royal apparel.. useth to wear] Not apparel similar to that which was worn by the king, but apparel which the king had actually used, just as the horse upon which the person to be honoured was mounted was that which the king had actually ridden (cp. 1 Kings 1:23). The crown royal.. head] RV 'and on the head of which' (i.e. of the horse) 'a crown royal is set.' The royal charger bore on its head a crown or coronet.

12. Having his head covered] as a sign of humiliation and woe: cp. 2 Samuel 15:30; 2 Samuel 19:4; Jeremiah 14:4.

13. If Mordecai.. fall before him] LXX adds, 'for the Living God is with him.'