John Trapp on Esther 9:13

Verſe 13. Then ſaid Eſther, If it pleaſe the King, &c.] See chap. 5.4, 8.

Let it be granted to the Jewes, &c.] The enemies at Shuſhan could not be all caught the firſt day; leſt therefore thoſe that lurked ſhould hereafter prove troubleſome to the Church by hatching new plots, ſhe begs, that they alſo may receive condigne puniſhment, and Hamans ſonnes be hanged up for an example. This ſhe requeſted not out of private and perſonal ſpleen to any; but for the glory of God and the Churches peace. Had her aims been otherwiſe then good, her good actions could not have ſhewed her a good woman. For, though a good aime doth not make a bad action good, as we ſee in Ʋzzah; yet a bad aime maketh a good action bad; as we ſee in Jehu. Lavaters note may not here be let ſlip; the diligence that Eſther uſed in rooting out her temporal enemies, ſhould quicken us to do the like to our ſpiritual, viz. thoſe evil affections, motions and paſſions, that warre againſt the ſoule. Theſe be our Medes and Perſians with whom we muſt make no truce, but maintaine a conſtant deadly feud, till we have maſtered and mortified them all, Col. 3.5. Rom. 8.13. for till that be done effectually, we muſt never look to have true peace, either within our ſelves, or with others.

And let Hamans ten ſonnes be hanged] Had Haman been now alive, himſelf by right ſhould have been their Hangman. There was a young man among the Switzers, that went about to uſurp the Government, and alter their free State. Him they condemned to death, and appointed his father for Executioner, as the cauſe of his evil education. But becauſe Haman was hanged before, his ſons (though dead) ſhall now hang with him. Neither was it cruelty or revenge in Eſther, to crave this of the King, but zeale to God, and fervent love to his people, whoſe welfare ſhe ſought by all means poſſible to promote. As for her ſelf, ſhe could joyfully ſay of Haman, as David did of Doeg. Lo, this is the man that made not God his ſtrength, but truſted in the abundance of his riches, and ſtrengthened himſelf in his wickedneſſe. But I am like a green Olive tree in the Houſe of God; I truſt in the mercy of God for ever and ever. I will praiſe thee for ever, becauſe thou haſt done it: and I will wait on thy Name, for it is good before thy Saints, Pſal. 52.7, 8, 9.