18 But the Jews who were in Susa assembled on the thirteenth e and the fourteenth e of the same month, and they rested on the fifteenth e day and made it a day of feasting and rejoicing . 19 Therefore e the Jews of the rural areas , who live in the rural towns , make the fourteenth e day of the month Adar a holiday e for rejoicing and feasting and sending portions of food to one another .

20 Then Mordecai recorded these events , and he sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus , both near and far , 21 obliging e them to celebrate the fourteenth e day of the month Adar , and the fifteenth e day of the same month, annually e , 22 because on those days the Jews rid themselves of their enemies , and it was a month which was turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday e ; that they should make them days of feasting and rejoicing and sending portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor . 23 Thus the Jews undertook what they had started to do , and what Mordecai had written to them. 24 For Haman the son of Hammedatha , the Agagite , the adversary of all the Jews , had schemed against the Jews to destroy them and had cast Pur , that is the lot , to disturb them and destroy them. 25 But when it came to the king's attention , he commanded by letter that his wicked scheme which he had devised against the Jews , should return on his own head and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows . 26 Therefore e they called these days Purim after the name of Pur . And because of the instructions in this letter , both what they had seen in this regard and what had happened to them, 27 the Jews established and made a custom for themselves and for their descendants and for all those who allied themselves with them, so that they would not fail to celebrate these two days according to their regulation and according to their appointed time annually e . 28 So these days were to be remembered and celebrated throughout every generation , every family , every province and every city ; and these days of Purim were not to fail from among the Jews , or their memory fade from their descendants . 29 Then Queen Esther , daughter of Abihail , with Mordecai the Jew , wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter about Purim . 30 He sent letters to all the Jews , to the 127 e e provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus , namely, words of peace and truth , 31 to establish these days of Purim at their appointed times , just as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had established for them, and just as they had established for themselves and for their descendants with instructions for their times of fasting and their lamentations . 32 The command of Esther established these customs for Purim , and it was written in the book .

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Esther 9:18-32

Commentary on Esther 9:1-19

(Read Esther 9:1-19)

The enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them by the former edict. If they had attempted nothing against the people of God, they would not themselves have suffered. The Jews, acting together, strengthened one another. Let us learn to stand fast in one spirit, and with one mind, striving together against the enemies of our souls, who endeavour to rob us of our faith, which is more precious than our lives. The Jews, to the honour of their religion, showed contempt of wordly wealth, that they might make it appear they desired nothing except their own preservation. In every case the people of God should manifest humanity and disinterestedness, frequently refusing advantages which might lawfully be obtained. The Jews celebrated their festival the day after they had finished their work. When we have received great mercies from God, we ought to be speedy in making thankful returns to him.

Commentary on Esther 9:20-32

(Read Esther 9:20-32)

The observance of the Jewish feasts, is a public declaration of the truth of the Old Testament Scriptures. And as the Old Testament Scriptures are true, the Messiah expected by the Jews is come long ago; and none but Jesus of Nazareth can be that Messiah. The festival was appointed by authority, yet under the direction of the Spirit of God. It was called the feast of Purim, from a Persian word, which signifies a lot. The name of this festival would remind them of the almighty power of the God of Israel, who served his own purposes by the superstitions of the heathen. In reviewing our mercies, we should advert to former fears and distresses. When our mercies are personal, we should not by forgetfulness lose the comfort of them, or withhold from the Lord the glory due to his name. May the Lord teach us to rejoice, with that holy joy which anticipates and prepares for the blessedness of heaven. Every instance of Divine goodness to ourselves, is a new obligation laid on us to do good, to those especially who most need our bounty. Above all, redemption by Christ binds us to be merciful, 2 Corinthians 8:9.