ESTHER SERIES – CHAPTER 2

Now, in chapter 2, Queen Vashti had been previously deposed, and King Ahasuerus is seeking a wife for history notes that between chapter 1 and 2 four years have passed. King Ahasuerus had been in a war with the Greeks who defeated him at Salamis and Plataea; so, he had returned home and was able to focus on securing himself a wife.

One of the king’s servants suggested he appoint officers in all of his provinces to gather all the young virgins and bring them to the house of women in the palace where they would be placed under the custody of Hegai who was the king’s chamberlain and palace keeper of the women. For one year these women were given things for purification, and after completing the year, they appeared before the king who then had the opportunity to choose the next queen.

One of the young virgins chosen to appear before the king was the fair and beautiful Hadassah whose name was changed to Esther when she came to the Persian court and who was the cousin of a Jew named Mordecai, the son of Jair. As recorded in the scripture, upon entry into the women’s house Esther found favor with Hegai who gave her seven maidens to assist with her care, the oil of myrrh, sweet odors, and other things needed for purification and he assigned her the choicest place in the house of the women.

Mordecai, who raised Esther as his daughter when her parents died and kept her under his protective eyes even after she went into the palace, directed Esther not to inform anyone of her ethnic origin. Thus, daily Mordecai went to the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.

In the seventh year and Tebeth, the tenth month of King Ahasuerus reign when it was her turn to go before the king Esther for her first meeting with him had the opportunity to choose her apparel; however, she submitted herself to Hegai and followed his suggestions. As was the custom, in the evening the young lady would go to the king’s chamber, and in the morning she returned into the second house of the women under the care of Shaashgaz, another one of the king’s chamberlain. Additionally, unless the king desired the young lady again, she remained confined in the king’s harem.

This was not Esther’s fate for the king was enamored with Esther, and the privilege of becoming the queen was given to her. In honor of his new queen, King Ahasuerus proclaimed a holiday, held a great feast, and gave gifts to his citizens.

The chapter concludes with the revelation of a plot to assassinate the king by two of his chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, Mordecai found out about this plot and gave this information to Esther who shared it with the king. An investigation ensued, and the guilt of these men was confirmed, which resulted in their execution, and this event was written in the book of the chronicles with recognition given to Mordecai for revealing the plot.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: As seen in the life of Esther who experienced the death of both of her parents in her childhood, God was with her, and he allowed a relative to love and raise her. This relative not only took care of her during her childhood, but he was involved in her young adult life. God will place people in our lives who will show concern for us and stick with us throughout our life.

According to the laws given to Moses by God for the Israelites mixed marriages and sexual relations outside of marriage was prohibited. Unfortunately, Esther was placed in a position where both of these would be broken. However, God allowed the intimate encounter between Esther and King Ahasuerus to end in marriage, and God used Esther’s position in gaining the deliverance of His people. Similarly, there are times in the life of a believer when their behavior does not line up with God’s Word; however, God can turn a situation around and bring about something good.

Just like God allowed Esther to find favor among strangers, He does the same for us. These strangers are divinely connected to us, and they are placed in our lives to assist us in moving to another level.