Esther 6:12
And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.
And Mordecai came again to the king's gate,.... To attend his post and office at court; which confirms what has been already hinted, that he was in some office in the court, which this phrase is expressive of, and not a porter at the gate; for it is not probable he should return to such a station, after so much honour had been done him; and much less that he returned to his sackcloth and fasting, as Jarchi and the former Targum; since he might reasonably conclude things were taking a turn in his favour, and that of his people; though as yet he knew not what success Esther had had, to wait for which he returned to court:
But Haman hasted to his house; pushed forward as fast as he could:
mourning; at his sad disappointment:
and having his head covered; through grief and sorrow, confusion and shame; so Demosthenes, being hissed, went home with his head covered {c}, as confounded and ashamed to be seen {d}.
{c} Plutarch in Demosthene.
{d} See more instances in Lively's Chronology of the Persian monarchy, p. 18, 19.