Esther 2

Esther 2:1

II. THE ELEVATION OF ESTHER ACCOMPLISHED (Chap. 2)2:1-4 When the king seemed to have second thoughts over what he had done to Vashti, his counselors proposed that a search be made among all the beautiful young virgins for a young woman to become queen in her place. 2:5-7 As potential young women were brought to Shushan, Esther, one of the capital’s maidens, joined them. She had been adopted by her cousin Mordecai after the death of her parents. Mordecai was a Benjamite, whose ancestor, Kish, had been carried into captivity with Jeconiah (2Ki_24:14-16). 2:8-11 Hegai, the keeper of the harem, showed special favor to Esther by readily supplying her and her attendants with beauty preparations, besides her allowance, and also by giving her the best place in the house of the women. In obedience to Mordecai, she did not yet reveal her ethnic origin. Although Mordecai could not contact her directly, he had ways of getting news of her progress every day. 2:12-14 The course preparing the young ladies to be brought into the king’s bedchamber lasted for twelve months. They went through a ceremonial purification program with ointments, spices, and cosmetics. Then, when the turn of each one came, she could request anything in the way of apparel, adornments, or jewels. She then spent one night with the king, and would never be with him again unless she so pleased him that he asked for her by name. For the Christian, lifetime is training time for reigning time. Soon the Lord will present the church to Himself without spot or wrinkle or any such thing (Eph_5:27). 2:15-18 Instead of making lavish requests for outward adornments, Esther followed Hegai’s advice. Perhaps he suggested that she depend on her natural beauty. In any event, the king loved Esther more than any of the others, chose her as his queen, and made a great feast in her honor. The holiday he made in the provinces may have included an amnesty, or a remission of taxes, or it may have been simply a holiday. He also gave gifts in keeping with his wealth. 2:19-23 A second gathering of virgins took place, perhaps to add to the king’s harem. Esther was still keeping her nationality secret, and Mordecai was still positioning himself strategically at the king’s gate. It was at this time that he overheard a plot to assassinate King Ahasuerus. He reported it to Esther, who in turn notified the king. The assassins were apprehended, tried, and hanged. The incident was routinely recorded in the official chronicles of the kingdom. Mordecai was not rewarded immediately. He had to wait, but it was sure to come. God keeps good records. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus says that hanging was the standard punishment for traitors and rebels in Persia at that time.