the king's servants: Dr. Shaw, speaking of the cities in the East, says, "If we quit the streets, and enter into any of the principal houses, we shall first pass through a porch, or gate-way, with benches on each side, where the master of the family receives visits, and despatches business; few persons, not even the nearest relations, having admission any farther, except upon extraordinary occasions." These servants were probably officers who here waited the king's call; and it is likely that Mordecai was one of them. Est 2:19, Est 2:21 bowed: Gen 41:43, Phi 2:10 bowed not: Yichra welo yishtachaweh, "bowed not down, nor prostrated himself," or worshipped him. Had this meant only civil reverence the king would not have needed to command it; nor would Mordecai have refused it; there was, therefore, some kind of divine honour intended, such as was paid to the Persian kings, and which even the Greeks refused, as express adoration. Est 3:1, Est 3:5, Exo 17:14, Exo 17:16, Deu 25:19, 1Sa 15:3, Psa 15:4 Reciprocal: 1Ki 1:31 - did reverence Est 2:5 - a certain Jew Est 3:3 - Why Est 4:7 - all that had Est 5:9 - he stood not up Est 6:6 - To whom Est 9:3 - the fear Est 10:3 - accepted Psa 49:18 - praise Pro 14:20 - but Dan 2:49 - sat Mar 15:19 - and bowing