The Plot
After Esther was crowned queen, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. He overheard a plot to kill the king.
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19. The virgins were assembled by the gate. Mordecai was sitting at the king’ gate.
“Throughout the Near East, law cases and official matters were handled near the gate area.” (Breneman, Mervin, The New American Commentary, Volume 10 Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther:[ Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993], 321)
Sitting at the king’s gate would indicate that Mordecai “was an official of some sort.” (Breneman, 321)
20. Esther did the commandment of Mordecai
Although Esther was now the queen “she still chose to honor Mordecai for his wisdom and godliness by humbling herself and following his advice.” (MacArthur, John. Daniel & Esther: Israel in Exile: [Nashville: Nelson Books, 2016] 103)
This allowed Esther to contact him at times and for him to know what was happening in her life.
Overhearing the Plot
21. While sitting at the gate he overheard two officers of the king discussing an attempt to kill him.
22. Mordecai was able to communicate with Esther and told her what he heard.
She told her husband; the king, that Mordecai had heard of the plot.
23. An investigation was done, and the two men were hung on a tree.
“This entire incident was written down in the chronicles of the king, in the minutes, if you please, of the kingdom of Persia.” (McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume II: [Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983], 556)
Note that “Mordecai was not rewarded or recognized for his service.” (McGee, 556)
“Why was this incident passed by? God is overruling. By His providence, God is directing this entire affair. (McGee, 556)
“Five years later, King Ahasuerus would read these Persian records during a sleepless night (see Esther 6:1-2).” (MacArthur, 103)
In this article Scripture quotations are taken from KJV.
Breneman, Mervin, The New American Commentary, Volume 10 Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993
MacArthur, John. Daniel & Esther: Israel in Exile: Nashville: Nelson Books, 2016
McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume II: Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983
