John Trapp on Esther 2:15

Verſe 15. Now when the turne of Eſther, &c.] Then, and not till then. So when Joſeph was ſufficiently humbled,Pſal. 105.20. the King ſent and looſed him; the Ruler of the people let him go free. When David was become weaned from the world, as a child from the breaſts; when his heart was not haughty, nor his eyes lofty, &c. then was he advanced to the Kingdome, Pſal. 131.1, He that beleeveth maketh not haſte. Gods time is beſt: and as he ſeldome cometh at our time, ſo he never faileth at his own.

The daughter of Abihail] The ſeed of the righteous, and ſo an heireſſe of that precious promiſe, His ſeed ſhall be mighty upon earth, Pſal. 111. She was alſo a daughter of Iſrael, and therefore Gods firſt-born, higher then the Kings of the earth, Pſalme 84.27.

Who had taken her for his daughter] This good work was ſo well pleaſing to God, that it is once again recited, and honourably mentioned. What ſhall the Lord Chriſt then do at the laſt day for his people who are full of mercy and good fruits? If now he doth not onely make mention of us, but mediation for us at the throne of glory; ſurely then he will much more make our faith which worketh by love, to be found unto praiſe, and honour, and glory, 1 Pet. 1.7.

She required nothing] As other maids had done to ſet out their beauty; but contenting her ſelf with her native comelineſſe, and that wiſdome that made her face to ſhine: ſhe humbly taketh what Hegai directed her to, and wholly reſteth upon the Divine providence.

And Eſther obtained favour in the ſight of all] By her comely countenance and gracious deportment. Plutarch ſpeaks of a Spartan woman, that when her neighbours were ſhewing their apparel and jewels, ſhe brought out her children vertuous and well taught, ſaying, Theſe are my ornaments and accouſtrements. Eſther did the like by her vertues, which drew all hearts unto her; like as fair flowers in the ſpring do the paſſengers eyes. She had decked her ſelf with the white of ſimplicity, with the red of modeſty, with the ſilke of piety, with the ſattin of ſanctity, with the purple of chaſtity, as Tertullian expreſſeth it: taliter pigmentatae Deum habebitis amatorem, ſaith he, and being thus adorned and beautified,Tert[illegible: 1 letter]de cult. ſcem. women ſhall have God himſelf to be their ſuitor, and all godly men their admirers. Whereas on the otherſide, Nequaquam ornata eſt benè, quae morata eſt malè. Pulchrum ornatum turpes mores pejùs coeno collinunt.Plaut. M ſtell. Act. 1. Scen. 3.