* smote.
  Ps 18:34-40,47,48  20:7,8  149:6-9  2Th 1:6 
 * the stroke.
  Jer 18:21 
 * what they would.  Heb. according to their will.
   The Chaldee paraphrast says that none appeared against the
   Jews but Amalekites only, who were infatuated, and had their
   hearts hardened, as Pharaoh's against Israel, to take up arms
   to their own destruction.  Some had such an inveterate,
   implacable malice against the Jews, that Haman's fall and
   Mordecai's advancement, instead of convincing, seemed only to
   exasperate them the more.  How have the most dreadful scourges
   ravaged a country, and yet the inhabitants are unmindful of
   the Almighty Disposer of events, and that the cause of his
   righteous displeasure is their continual provocation!  Forty
   years long was he grieved with one generation, who learned not
   his ways, although daily fed and clothed by a miracle.