Esther 2
Esther 2 covers what happens after Queen Vashti is deposed, focusing on the process of finding a new queen and how Esther comes to occupy that position. At the command of King Ahasuerus, beautiful young virgins are gathered from all over the kingdom and brought into the palace; among them, Esther stands out, receives special favor, and ultimately is chosen by the king to become queen. The final part of chapter 2 also records an episode in which Esther’s cousin Mordecai discovers a plot to assassinate the king and informs him. This chapter can be seen as highlighting a new beginning, challenges and choices, and the loyalty and courage displayed in an unexpected place.
1verseAfter these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus was pacified, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
2verseThen the king’s servants who served him said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.
3verseLet the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the beautiful young virgins to the citadel of Susa, to the women’s house, to the custody of Hegai the king’s eunuch, keeper of the women. Let cosmetics be given them;
4verseand let the maiden who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” The thing pleased the king, and he did so.
5verseThere was a certain Jew in the citadel of Susa whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite,
6versewho had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives who had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
7verseHe brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter; for she had neither father nor mother. The maiden was fair and beautiful; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.
8verseSo, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together to the citadel of Susa, to the custody of Hegai, Esther was taken into the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
9verseThe maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness from him. He quickly gave her cosmetics and her portions of food, and the seven choice maidens who were to be given her out of the king’s house. He moved her and her maidens to the best place in the women’s house.
10verseEsther had not made known her people nor her relatives, because Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make it known.
11verseMordecai walked every day in front of the court of the women’s house, to find out how Esther was doing, and what would become of her.
12verseEach young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after her purification for twelve months (for so were the days of their purification accomplished, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet fragrances and with preparations for beautifying women).
13verseThe young woman then came to the king like this: whatever she desired was given her to go with her out of the women’s house to the king’s house.
14verseIn the evening she went, and on the next day she returned into the second women’s house, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch, who kept the concubines. She came in to the king no more, unless the king delighted in her, and she was called by name.
15verseNow when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, came to go in to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the keeper of the women, advised. Esther obtained favor in the sight of all those who looked at her.
16verseSo Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus into his royal house in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17verseThe king loved Esther more than all the women, and she obtained favor and kindness in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown on her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
18verseThen the king made a great feast for all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he proclaimed a holiday in the provinces, and gave gifts according to the king’s bounty.
19verseWhen the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate.
20verseEsther had not yet made known her relatives nor her people, as Mordecai had commanded her; for Esther obeyed Mordecai, like she did when she was brought up by him.
21verseIn those days, while Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, who were doorkeepers, were angry, and sought to lay hands on the King Ahasuerus.
22verseThis thing became known to Mordecai, who informed Esther the queen; and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name.
23verseWhen this matter was investigated, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the king’s presence.
Key Characters and Events
- Esther: a Jew who had lost her parents and was raised by Mordecai, equipped with humility, beauty, and wisdom. When she enters the king’s palace, she hides her ethnic identity (following Mordecai’s advice) and becomes queen.
- Mordecai: Esther’s cousin and protector. Sitting at the king’s gate, he learns about the rebellion of the king’s two officials and shows the king his loyalty.
- King Ahasuerus: king of Persia. After Vashti relinquishes the position of queen, he sets out to find a new queen.
The Overall Meaning of the Text
Esther 2 shows a scene where human plans intersect with providence. Even within the worldly process of selecting a queen, Esther and Mordecai’s faithfulness, carefulness, and loyalty stand out. In particular, events that appear, outwardly, to be like mere happenstance—Esther’s selection and Mordecai’s discovery—lead to a larger turning point in the history that is yet to come. This is a passage that hints that an unseen hand is at work behind the events of history.
Points for Reflection
- We may be in a particular place and situation, and behind it, God’s intended purpose may be hidden as well.
- Just as with Esther and Mordecai, we can think about the need for wisdom on times when we must wisely hide or reveal our identity and faith depending on the circumstances.
- We can also see that small faithfulness (Mordecai’s sharing of information) becomes the foundation for great change later.
Applying It to Me
- I can look at the place and situation where I stand today within God’s greater purpose.
- I can also check my attitude toward being faithful even in small things and carrying out the mission given to me.
- Now, I can reflect once more on my roles and responsibilities with the people connected to me (family, community).
