John Trapp on Esther 9:16

Verſe 16. But the other Jewes that were, &c.] Though they were but a Nation ſcattered and peeled, a contemptible and feeble folk, lately deſtined to deſtruction; yet by faith they ſubdue Kingdomes, eſcape the edge of the ſword, out of weakneſſe become ſtrong, wax valiant in fight, turne to flight whole Armies of the Aliens, Heb. 11.33, 34. prevaile and proſper againſt all the malignant power of Perſia: Thus were they helped with a little help, (as it is, Dan. 11.34.) that God might have a great deal of glory, as indeed he had.

Gathered themſelves together] United their forces, as verſe 2. which whileſt our Anceſtours, (the old Britans) did not againſt the Romanes who invaded them; they were eaſily and quickly conquered. Et dum pugnabant ſinguli vincebantur vniverſi, ſaith Tacitus, who was here with his father-in-law Agricola, an eye-witneſſe of what he writeth.

And ſtood for their lives] Not one whereof was loſt in this hot encounter, in this ſharp revenge they took off their avowed enemies. This was even a miracle of Gods mercy, Who would not feare thee, O King of Nations, &c.

And had reſt from their enemies.] Or, That they might have reſt from their enemies; who would not otherwiſe be quieted, but by the letting out of their life-blood: but would make an aſſault upon the harmelſſe Jewes, though it were to die for it: ſo that upon the matter they were their own deathſmen, beſides the wilful loſſe of their immortal ſoules, which our Saviour ſheweth, Mat, 16.26. to be a loſſe, 1. Incomparable. 2. Irreparable.

And ſlew of their foes ſeventy and five thouſand] Neither was it any diſhonour to them to be God Almighties ſlaughtermen. Even the good Angels are Executioners of Gods righteous judgements, as they were at Sodom, in Sennacheribs army, and oft in the Revelation. There cannot be a better or more noble act then to do juſtice upon obſtinate Malefactours.

But they laid not their hands on the prey] They would not once foule their fingers therewith. No godly man in Scripture is taxed for covetouſneſſe, that ſordid ſin. See the Note on verſe 10.