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.
Three days. 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).
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.”