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, I perish. (Esther 4:16)
Some have supposed that Esther did not mean complete abstinence from both food and drink for so long a period of time. The time intended may have been only from the evening of the first day to the morning of the third day, a period not much in excess of 36 hours (see on ch. 5:1; Vol. II, pp. 136, 137).
Fast ye for me.
Esther personally felt the need of knowing that her people shared with her the burden that fell primarily to her to bear.
I also.
The clarity of mind that often results from fasting would prepare her to perceive the will of God and to know how to cooperate intelligently with it.
If I perish.
Esther means, “If I lose my life in this attempt to save my people, I shall lose it cheerfully; I see it is my duty to make the attempt; come what will, I am resolved to do my best.”