Esther2
New Living Translation
1But after Xerxes’ anger had subsided, he began thinking about Vashti and what she had done and the decree he had made.
2So his personal attendants suggested, “Let us search the empire to find beautiful young virgins for the king.
3Let the king appoint agents in each province to bring these beautiful young women into the royal harem at the fortress of Susa. Hegai, the king’s eunuch in charge of the harem, will see that they are all given beauty treatments.
4After that, the young woman who most pleases the king will be made queen instead of Vashti.” This advice was very appealing to the king, so he put the plan into effect.
5At that time there was a Jewish man in the fortress of Susa whose name was Mordecai son of Jair. He was from the tribe of Benjamin and was a descendant of Kish and Shimei.
6His family had been among those who, with King Jehoiachin of Judah, had been exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar.
7This man had a very beautiful and lovely young cousin, Hadassah, who was also called Esther. When her father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her into his family and raised her as his own daughter.
8As a result of the king’s decree, Esther, along with many other young women, was brought to the king’s harem at the fortress of Susa and placed in Hegai’s care.
9Hegai was very impressed with Esther and treated her kindly. He quickly ordered a special menu for her and provided her with beauty treatments. He also assigned her seven maids specially chosen from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem.
10Esther had not told anyone of her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had directed her not to do so.
11Every day Mordecai would take a walk near the courtyard of the harem to find out about Esther and what was happening to her.
12Before each young woman was taken to the king’s bed, she was given the prescribed twelve months of beauty treatments—six months with oil of myrrh, followed by six months with special perfumes and ointments.
13When it was time for her to go to the king’s palace, she was given her choice of whatever clothing or jewelry she wanted to take from the harem.
14That evening she was taken to the king’s private rooms, and the next morning she was brought to the second harem, where the king’s wives lived. There she would be under the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch in charge of the concubines. She would never go to the king again unless he had especially enjoyed her and requested her by name.
15Esther was the daughter of Abihail, who was Mordecai’s uncle. (Mordecai had adopted his younger cousin Esther.) When it was Esther’s turn to go to the king, she accepted the advice of Hegai, the eunuch in charge of the harem. She asked for nothing except what he suggested, and she was admired by everyone who saw her.
16Esther was taken to King Xerxes at the royal palace in early winter of the seventh year of his reign.
17And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti.
18To celebrate the occasion, he gave a great banquet in Esther’s honor for all his nobles and officials, declaring a public holiday for the provinces and giving generous gifts to everyone.
19Even after all the young women had been transferred to the second harem and Mordecai had become a palace official,
20Esther continued to keep her family background and nationality a secret. She was still following Mordecai’s directions, just as she did when she lived in his home.
21One day as Mordecai was on duty at the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthana and Teresh—who were guards at the door of the king’s private quarters—became angry at King Xerxes and plotted to assassinate him.
22But Mordecai heard about the plot and gave the information to Queen Esther. She then told the king about it and gave Mordecai credit for the report.
23When an investigation was made and Mordecai’s story was found to be true, the two men were impaled on a sharpened pole. This was all recorded in The Book of the History of King Xerxes’ Reign.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Esther 2.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Esther chosen queen. (1–20). Mordecai discovers a plot against the king. (21–23).
vv1-20
We see to what absurd practices those came, who were destitute of Divine revelation, and what need there was of the gospel of Christ, to purify men from the lusts of the flesh, and to bring them back to the original institution of marriage. Esther was preferred as queen. Those who suggest that Esther committed sin to come at this dignity, do not consider the custom of those times and countries. Every one that the king took was married to him, and was his wife, though of a lower rank. But how low is human nature sunk, when such as these are the leading pursuits and highest worldly happiness of men! Disappointment and vexation must follow; and he most wisely consults his enjoyment, even in this present life, who most exactly obeys the precepts of the Divine law. But let us turn to consider the wise and merciful providence of God, carrying on his deep but holy designs in the midst of all this. And let no change in our condition be a pretext for forgetting our duties to parents, or the friends who have stood in their place.
vv21-23
Good subjects must not conceal any bad design they know of against the prince, or the public peace. Mordecai was not rewarded at the time, but a remembrance was written. Thus, with respect to those who serve Christ, though their recompence is not till the resurrection of the just, yet an account is kept of their work of faith and labour of love, which God is not unrighteous to forget. The servant of God must be faithful to every trust, and watchful for those who employ him. If he appear to be neglected now, he will be remembered hereafter. None of our actions can be forgotten; even our most secret thoughts are written in lasting registers, Re 20:12.
Key Words
אַחַר: properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
חֵמָה: heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
מֶלֶךְ: a king
אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ: Achashverosh (i.e. Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes, but in this case Xerxes), the title (rather than name) of a Persian king
שָׁכַךְ: to weave (i.e. lay) a trap; figuratively, (through the idea of secreting) to allay (passions; physically, abate a flood)
זָכַר: properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
וַשְׁתִּי: Vashti, the queen of Xerxes
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Esther 2Direct sequel where Mordecai's discovery of the treason is read from the chronicles to the king.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Providential favor granted to a young captive (Esther/Daniel) by their respective overseers.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Context of Ahasuerus's wrath being appeased regarding what was decreed against Vashti.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Historical record of the captivity under Nebuchadnezzar and Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) mentioned here.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Like Joseph, Esther obtains favor and kindness in the eyes of her keeper.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Illustrates Esther's ongoing obedience to Mordecai's charge even after becoming queen.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The book of chronicles where Mordecai's deed was recorded is read, prompting his reward.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Establishes Mordecai's Benjamite lineage, sharing ancestry with Kish, the father of Saul.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Esther conceals her Jewish identity, which Haman later targets as a diverse, scattered people.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel execution of royal officers (hanging on a tree) after an inquiry.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Mordecai reminds Esther of her origins and her adoption for a specific providential purpose.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Establishes Mordecai's location sitting in the king's gate, facilitating his discovery of the plot.
Supported by JFB