4:2 And came even before the king's {a} gate: for none [might] enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.

(a) Because he would inform Esther of this cruel proclamation.

4:14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, [then] shall there enlargement and deliverance {b} arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for {c} [such] a time as this?

(b) Thus Mordecai spoke in the confidence of that faith which all God's children should have; which is that God will deliver them, though all worldly means fail.

(c) To deliver God's Church out of these present dangers.

4:16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which [is] not according to the law: and if I perish, {d} I perish.

(d) I will put my life in danger and refer the success to God, seeing it is for his glory and the deliverance of his Church.