in every province: Est 1:1, Est 3:12 great mourning: It cannot reasonably be doubted, that the mournings, fastings, and weepings of the Jews were attended by constant prayers and supplications; though all mention of them, and of the glorious God whom they worshipped, seems to have been studiously avoided. 1Sa 4:13, 1Sa 4:14, 1Sa 11:4, Isa 22:4, Isa 22:12, Isa 37:1-3 weeping: Mat 13:42, Mat 22:13, Mat 25:30 many lay in sackcloth and ashes: Heb. sackcloth and ashes were laid under many, Isa 58:5, Dan 9:3 Reciprocal: Neh 9:1 - children Est 4:1 - with ashes Est 4:6 - the king's Est 9:31 - the fastings