4 Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,
4 Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him.
4 When the king held out the golden scepter to Esther,
4 The king extended his gold scepter to Esther. She got to her feet and stood before the king.
4 And the king held out the golden scepter toward Esther. So Esther arose and stood before the king,
4 Again the king held out the gold scepter to Esther. So she rose and stood before him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Esther 8:4
Commentary on Esther 8:3-14
(Read Esther 8:3-14)
It was time to be earnest, when the church of God was at stake. Esther, though safe herself, fell down and begged for the deliverance of her people. We read of no tears when she begged for her own life, but although she was sure of that, she wept for her people. Tears of pity and tenderness are the most Christ-like. According to the constitution of the Persian government, no law or decree could be repealed or recalled. This is so far from speaking to the wisdom and honour of the Medes and Persians, that it clearly shows their pride and folly. This savours of that old presumption which ruined all, We will be as gods! It is God's prerogative not to repent, or to say what can never be altered or unsaid. Yet a way was found, by another decree, to authorize the Jews to stand upon their defence. The decree was published in the languages of all the provinces. Shall all the subjects of an earthly prince have his decrees in languages they understand, and shall God's oracles and laws be locked up from any of his servants in an unknown tongue?