1 AFTER these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
2 Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:
3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:
4 And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
5 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;
6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
8 So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.
10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.
11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.
12 Now when every maid’s turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)
13 Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.
14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.
15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king’s gate.
20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.
21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name.
23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.

1After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, hee remembred Uasthi, and what shee had done, and what was decreed against her.

2Then saide the kings seruants, that ministred vnto him, Let there bee faire yong virgins sought for the king:

3And let the king appoint officers in all the prouinces of his kingdome, that they may gather together all the faire yong virgins vnto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women vnto the custodie of Hege the kings chamberlaine, keeper of the women, and let their things for purification bee giuen them:

4And let the maiden which pleaseth the king, bee Queene in stead of Uasthi. And the thing pleased the king, and he did so.

5 Now in Shushan the palace, there was a certaine Iew, whose name was Mordecai, the sonne of Iair, the sonne of Shimei, the sonne of Kish, a Beniamite,

6Who had bene caried away from Ierusalem, with the captiuitie which had bene caried away with Ieconiah king of Iudah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon had caried away.

7And hee brought vp Hadassah (that is Esther) his vncles daughter, for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was faire and beautiful, whom Mordecai (when her father and mother were dead) tooke for his owne daughter.

8 So it came to passe, when the kings commandement and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together vnto Shushan the palace, to the custodie of Hegai, that Esther was brought also vnto the kings house, to the custodie of Hegai, keeper of the women.

9And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindnesse of him, and hee speedily gaue her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seuen maidens, which were meet to be giuen her, out of the Kings house, and hee preferred her and her maids, vnto the best place of the house of the women.

10Esther had not shewed her people, nor her kinred: for Mordecai had charged her, that she should not shew it.

11And Mordecai walked euery day before the court of the womens house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.

12 Now when euery maids turne was come, to goe in to King Ahasnerus, after that shee had bene twelue moneths, according to the maner of the women (for so were the dayes of their purifications accomplished, to wit, sixe moneths with oile of myrrhe, and sixe moneths with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women.)

13Then thus came euery maiden vnto the king, whatsoeuer she desired, was giuen her, to goe with her out of the house of the women, vnto the kings house.

14In the euening she went, and on the morrowe she returned into the second house of the women, to the custodie of Shaashgaz the kings chamberlen, which kept the concubines: shee came in vnto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that shee were called by name.

15 Now when the turne of Esther, the daughter of Abihail, the vncle of Mordecai (who had taken her for his daughter) was come, to goe in vnto the king: she required nothing, but what Hegai the kings chamberlen the keeper of the women, appointed: And Esther obtained fauour in the sight of all them that looked vpon her.

16So Esther was taken vnto king Ahasuerus, into his house royall, in the tenth moneth (which is the moneth Tebeth) in the seuenth yeere of his reigne.

17And the king loued Esther aboue all the women, and she obtained grace and fauour in his sight, more then all the virgins; so that hee set the royall crowne vpon her head, and made her queene, in stead of Uasthi.

18Then the king made a great feast vnto all his princes and his seruants, euen Esthers feast, and hee made a release to the prouinces, and gaue gifts, according to the state of the king.

19And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sate in the kings gate.

20Esther had not yet shewed her kindred, nor her people, as Mordecai had charged her: For Esther did the commandement of Mordecai, like as when she was brought vp with him.

21 In those dayes, (while Mordecai sate in the kings gate) two of the kings chamberlens, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the doore, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus:

22And the thing was knowen to Mordecai, who told it vnto Esther the Queene, and Esther certified the king thereof, in Mordecais name.

23And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therfore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the booke of the chronicles before the king.

I == 1:19-20

 

 

 

 

 

III == Esth 2:8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VI == 2nd Kings 24:6 , 14-15 ; 2nd Chr 36:10 , 20 ; Jer 24:1

 

 

VII == Esth 2:15 ; Eph 6:4

 

 

 

VIII == Esth 2:3

 

 

 

 

IX == Esth 2:3 , 12

 

 

 

 

 

 

X == Esth 2:20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XV == Esth 2:7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XVIII == Esth 1:3

 

 

 

XIX == Esth 2:21 ; 3:2

 

XX == Esth 2:10

 

 

 

XXI == Esth 6:2

 

 

 

XXII == Esth 6:2

 

XXIII == Esth 6:1

 

1 After this, when King Ahasuerus' wrath had cooled, he thought over what Vashti had done and what had been decreed against her.

2 Then the king's personal attendants suggested: "Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.

3 Let the king appoint commissaries in all the provinces of his realm to bring together all beautiful young virgins to the harem in the stronghold of Susa. Under the care of the royal eunuch Hegai, custodian of the women, let cosmetics be given them.

4 Then the girl who pleases the king shall reign in place of Vashti." This suggestion pleased the king, and he acted accordingly.

5 There was in the stronghold of Susa a certain Jew named Mordecai, son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite,

6 who had been exiled from Jerusalem with the captives taken with Jeconiah, king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had deported.

7 He was foster father to Hadassah, that is, Esther, his cousin; for she had lost both father and mother. The girl was beautifully formed and lovely to behold. On the death of her father and mother, Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter.

8 When the king's order and decree had been obeyed and many maidens brought together to the stronghold of Susa under the care of Hegai, Esther also was brought in to the royal palace under the care of Hegai, custodian of the women.

9 The girl pleased him and won his favor. So he promptly furnished her with cosmetics and provisions. Then picking out seven maids for her from the royal palace, he transferred both her and her maids to the best place in the harem.

10 Esther did not reveal her nationality or family, for Mordecai had commanded her not to do so.

11 Day by day Mordecai would walk about in front of the court of the harem, to learn how Esther was faring and what was to become of her.

12 Each girl went in turn to visit King Ahasuerus after the twelve months' preparation decreed for the women. Of this period of beautifying treatment, six months were spent with oil of myrrh, and the other six months with perfumes and cosmetics.

13 Then, when the girl was to visit the king, she was allowed to take with her from the harem to the royal palace whatever she chose.

14 She would go in the evening and return in the morning to a second harem under the care of the royal eunuch Shaashgaz, custodian of the concubines. She could not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and had her summoned by name.

15 As for Esther, daughter of Abihail and adopted daughter of his nephew Mordecai, when her turn came to visit the king, she did not ask for anything but what the royal eunuch Hegai, custodian of the women, suggested. Yet she won the admiration of all who saw her.

16 Esther was led to King Ahasuerus in his palace in the tenth month, Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

17 The king loved Esther more than all other women, and of all the virgins she won his favor and benevolence. So he placed the royal diadem on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.

18 Then the king gave a great feast in honor of Esther to all his officials and ministers, granting a holiday to the provinces and bestowing gifts with royal bounty.

19 [To resume: From the time the virgins had been brought together, and while Mordecai was passing his time at the king's gate,

20 Esther had not revealed her family or nationality, because Mordecai had told her not to; and Esther continued to follow Mordecai's instructions, just as she had when she was being brought up by him.

21 And during the time that Mordecai spent at the king's gate, Bagathan and Thares, two of the royal eunuchs who guarded the entrance, had plotted in anger to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.

22 When the plot became known to Mordecai, he told Queen Esther, who in turn informed the king for Mordecai.

23 The matter was investigated and verified, and both of them were hanged on a gibbet. This was written in the annals for the king's use.]

v 1. The king had returned from beating the Greeks at Thermopoleae but being defeated at Ialamis and Plataea, misses Vashti,  regrets  permanently ousting her.

v 2-4. The men who recommended her removal may have been concerned that the king would find a way to reinstate her, and she would take vengeance on them. They suggested he have search made for beautiful virgins from all over his kingdom, and placed under the care of Hegai, who was in charge of the existing harem. After a time of purification and beautification he could take his pick among them for queen.

v 5-7. It was Mordecai’s great grandfather, Kish, who was taken captive when Nebuchadnezzar captured Jeconiah in 597. (centuries after the father of Saul). No reason given why his family did not return to Jerusalem, but probably a lack of spiritual interest, because Mordecai, born in captivity, was given a Babylonian name after the god Marduk. Esther’s Persian name meant Star, but her Hebrew name, Hadassah, meant myrtle, perhaps having to do with her beauty. She was cousin to Mordecai who had raise her from childhood, after her father and mother died. It is possible that Mordecai returned to Jerusalem, Ezra 2:2, as a young man and returned to Shushan.

v 8, 9. All the young virgins were taken to the harem, but Hegai, the eunuch in charge of them, was impressed by Esther’s beauty, and probably her demeanor. He gave her special treatment with the best of things for purification, choice food, seven maids, and the best apartment in the harem. He was grooming her for the night with the king, with the intent she would be chosen before he picked someone else. She is in contrast to Daniel, who refused to eat the kings meat. She not only accepted that, but was giving her consent to break God’s law by marrying a pagan. We should add that this was not adultery for their custom, but the women became concubines.

v 10,11. Mordecai wasn't hiding, just not flaunting their nationality. Being  an attendant of the king’s court, he had access to inquire of her daily outside the harem.

v 12-14. At least a year was required for these purity and beauty treatments, and each girl going in to the king could request special things to wear or carry to enhance her beauty. After that night they were moved to the house of concubines, and some probably never saw the king again unless he specifically called for them.

v 15,16. Esther’s father’s name was Abihail. She had natural beauty and desired nothing else to attract the king to her. Her simplicity perhaps made her all the more appealing to everyone. This was over four years since Vashti had been deposed, but he had his harem to keep his mind off her.

v 17,18. This is called “love”. Deep affection or infatuation might best describe this relationship, but he crowned her queen and made a feast in her honor. He declared a tax holiday for all the provinces, and gave gifts in celebration.

v 19,20. Some time elapsed, and a second group or the remaining virgins are gathered for a reason not stated, but Mordecai was or was made a gatekeeper. Esther was being faithful to Mordecai’s instructions just as when she lived with him.

v 21-23. Because of his position, he was able to hear of the assassination plans and had Esther inform the king. After investigation, both assassins were hanged, or impaled, and Mordecai’s service was put on record, but no reward given till 8:15.