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Esther Becomes Queen in Vashti’s Place

2:1 When this was done1 and the rage of King Ahasuerus had abated, he remembered2 Vashti and what she had done and what had been decided against her. 2:2 The king’s servants who tended to him said, “Let a search be conducted in the king’s behalf for attractive young women.3 2:3 And let the king appoint officers throughout all the provinces of his kingdom and let them gather all the attractive young women to Sushan the citadel to the harem4 under the authority of Hegai, the eunuch of the king who oversees the women, and let him provide whatever cosmetics they desire.5 2:4 Let the young woman whom the king finds most attractive become queen in place of Vashti.” It seemed like a good idea to the king,6 so he acted accordingly.

2:5 Now there happened to be a Jewish man in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai.7 He was the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjaminite 2:6 who had been taken into exile from Jerusalem with the exiles who had been taken into exile with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken into exile. 2:7 Now he was supporting Hadassah8 (that is, Esther), the daughter of his uncle, for neither her father nor mother was living. This young woman was very attractive and good-looking. When her father and mother died, Mordecai had taken her to him like a daughter.

2:8 It so happened that when the king’s edict and his law became known many young women were taken to Susa the citadel to be placed under the authority of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the harem to be under the authority of Hegai, who was overseeing the women. 2:9 This young woman pleased him, and she found favor with him. He quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her rations; he also provided her with the seven special young women who were from the palace. He then transferred her and her young women to the best part of the harem.

2:10 Now Esther had not disclosed her people or her lineage, for Mordecai had instructed her not to do so. 2:11 And day after day Mordecai used to walk back and forth in front of the court of the harem so as to learn how Esther was doing9 and what might befall her.

2:12 At the end of the twelve months that were required for the women,10 when the turn of each young woman arrived to go to King Ahasuerus— 2:13 for in this way they had to fulfill their time of cosmetic treatment: six months in oil of myrrh, and six months in perfume and various ointments used by women—the woman would go to the king in the following way. Whatever she would ask would be provided for her to take with her from the harem to the palace. 2:14 In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned back to the harem, to the authority of Shaashgaz the king’s eunuch who was overseeing the concubines. She would not go back to the king unless the king was pleased with her11 and she was requested by name.

2:15 When it became the turn of Esther the daughter of Abihail, the uncle of Mordecai who had taken her to him as a daughter, to go to the king, she did not request a thing except for what Hegai the king’s eunuch who was overseer of the women, had recommended. Yet Esther met with the approval of all who saw her. 2:16 Then Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus to his royal dwelling in the tenth12 month (that is, Tebeth) in the seventh13 year of his reign. 2:17 And the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she met with his loving approval14 more than all the other young women.15 So he placed the royal high turban on her head and appointed her queen16 in place of Vashti. 2:18 Then the king prepared a large banquet for all his officials and his servants—it was actually Esther’s banquet. He also set aside a holiday for the provinces, and he provided for offerings at the king’s expense.17

Mordecai Learns of a Plot against the King

2:19 Now when the young women were being gathered again,18 Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.19 2:20 Esther was still not divulging her lineage or her people,20 just as Mordecai had instructed her.21 Esther continued to do whatever Mordecai said, just as she had done when she was being brought up by him. 2:21 In those days while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh,22 two of the king’s eunuchs who protected the entrance, got angry and sought to assassinate23 King Ahasuerus. 2:22 When the matter became known to Mordecai,24 he informed Esther the queen,25 and Esther told the king in Mordecai’s behalf.26 2:23 He then investigated the matter and, finding it to be so, had the two of them hung on a gallows. It was then recorded in the daily chronicles in the king’s presence.

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