Esther Becomes Queen

King Ahasuerus ruled from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, and he sat on his throne in Susa. In the third year of his reign he held great feasts. First he displayed the riches of his kingdom for 180 days. Then he gave a seven-day feast in the palace garden court for all the people present in Susa, both great and small. Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women in the royal house.

On the seventh day, when the king was merry with wine, he ordered seven eunuchs to bring Queen Vashti before him wearing the royal crown, so others could look at her beauty. Vashti refused to come. The king grew very angry and asked his advisers what should be done according to law. Memucan advised that Vashti should never again come before the king, and that her royal place should be given to another woman.

The king accepted this advice. Letters were sent to every province in its own writing and language, saying that each man should rule his own house and speak in the language of his own people. Later, when the king’s anger had settled, his servants suggested gathering beautiful young virgins from across the kingdom to Susa. The young woman who pleased the king would become queen instead of Vashti.

In Susa there was a Jew named Mordecai, a Benjamite. He had brought up Hadassah, called Esther, his uncle’s daughter, because she had no father or mother. When the king’s command was announced, Esther was taken into the king’s house and placed in the care of Hegai, keeper of the women. Hegai showed her kindness, and Esther did not reveal her people or relatives because Mordecai had told her not to. Mordecai walked near the court each day to learn how she was.

Each young woman prepared for twelve months before going to the king, with six months of oil of myrrh and six months of perfumes and beauty preparations. After a woman went in to the king, she returned to the second women’s house under the care of Shaashgaz and would not go back unless the king called for her by name. When Esther’s turn came, she took only what Hegai advised, and she found favour with those who saw her.

Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus in the tenth month, in the seventh year of his reign. The king loved Esther more than all the other women, set the royal crown on her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. He then held a great feast for his princes and servants, proclaimed a holiday in the provinces, and gave gifts. Esther still had not made known her relatives or her people, because she obeyed Mordecai as she had when he raised her.