As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
Mordecai wrote out the whole affair and sent it far and wide so all Jews would know how their deliverance came about. But mark this: he never once names God in his account, though he had the root of the matter in him. He wrote at the palace where policy reigned over piety, and the air of a place shapes what a man will say.
AI summary
Commenting on Esther 9:20-32
Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them,.... Had formed a design to exterminate them from the whole Persian empire in one day: and had cast Pur, (that is, the lot,) to consume them, and to destroy them; had cast lots to find out what would be the most lucky day...
THE TWO DAYS OF PURIM MADE FESTIVAL. (Est 9:20-32) Mordecai wrote these things--Commentators are not agreed what is particularly meant by "these things"; whether the letters following, or an account of these marvellous events to be preserved in the families of the Jewish people, and transmitted from one generation to another.
Commenting on Esther 9:20-32