John Gill Commentary Esther 6:12

"And Mordecai came again to the king`s gate. But Haman hasted to his house, mourning and having his head covered." — Esther 6:12 (ASV)

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 has 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 ^F4 .

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FOOTNOTES:

• F4: See more instances in Lively's Chronology of the Persian monarchy, p. 18, 19.