Matthew Poole and continuators on Esther 4:16

16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise , and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law , and if I perish, I perish .

And pray; which was the main business, to which fasting was only an help and an handmaid.

To wit, so as you use to do, either deliciously or plentifully. Leave off your common meals, dinners by day, and suppers at night, and eat and drink no more than meer necessity requires; that so you may give your selves to constant and servent prayers, for which your ordinary repasts will unfit you. For it is not likely that she would impose the burden of absolute fasting so long upon all the Jews, which very few of them were able to endure. And so the like phrase is taken, Act. 27. 33. where he saith, This is the fourteenth day that ye have continued fasting, having taken nothing.

Which she had chosen to attend upon her person, and were doubtless either of the Jewish nation, or proselyted by her, or others means to that Religion.

Which may belong, either 1. To the thing only, that as they did fast, so she would. Or rather, 2. To the time of three days and three nights; for so she might do, though she went to the King o[illegible: 1+ letters] 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 third; a part of a day being reputed a day in the account of Scripture and other Authors: of which see on Mat. 12. 40. Yea, she might fast all that day too: for it is probable she went not to the King till he had dined; when she supposed she might find him in the most mild and pleasant humour, and then returned to her apartment, where she fasted till the evening.

Which is against the law now mentioned.

Although my danger be great and evident considering the expressness of that law, and the uncertainty of the Kings mind, and that severity which he shewed to my predecessor Vashti; yet rather than neglect my duty to God and to his people, I will go to the King, and cast my self chearfully, and resolutely upon Gods providence for my safety and success.

Marginal references: Heb. found.