Sleeplessness Providentially Used
J. Hughes. Esther 6:1 On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles… There is no reason assigned for this. The king was not afflicted with illness, he was not suddenly seized with any disease to cause this wakefulness, nor was it occasioned by any intelligence of a distressing character, such as that formidable enemies had made their appearance before Shushan, or that grievous misfortunes had happened to any one dear to him. No; but the matter was entirely of the Lord. God has employed sleep for weighty purposes, in various ages of the world. It was while Adam was in "deep sleep" that "one of his ribs was taken," and made a living being and an help meet for him. It was while Jacob was asleep that he was favoured with that wonderful vision, in which he beheld a ladder set upon the earth, whose top reached to heaven — a striking representation of God's providential care for His people, and likewise of that Redeemer who is the way to the Father — a way in which whosoever walketh the angels of glory continually afford him their friendly ministrations. It was when Joseph was asleep that he was directed from heaven to take Mary for his wife, because that which had been conceived in her was of the Holy Ghost. But here God carries His purposes into execution by means of the absence of sleep. He is never at a loss to bring His designs to pass. (J. Hughes.) Parallel Verses KJV: On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. WEB: On that night, the king couldn't sleep. He commanded the book of records of the chronicles to be brought, and they were read to the king.