1098 - Esther Becomes Queen
1098 - Esther Becomes Queen
Before 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.
When 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.
That 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.
Esther was the daughter of Abihail, the Benjamite, who was Mordecai’s uncle.
(Mordecai had adopted his younger cousin Esther, when her parents died.)
When it was Esther’s turn, to go to the king, she accepted the advice of Hegai, the eunuch, in charge of the virgin’s harem.
She asked for nothing, except what he suggested, and she was admired by everyone, who saw her.
Esther was taken to King Xerxes, at the royal palace, in the early winter, of the seventh year, of his reign.
And 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.
To celebrate the occasion, he gave a great banquet, in Esther’s honor… for all his nobles and officials, declaring a public holiday, for all the provinces, and giving generous gifts, to everyone.
Even after all the young women had been transferred, to the second harem, and Mordecai had become a palace official, Esther 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.
Then, one 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.
But 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.
When an investigation was made, and Mordecai’s story was found to be true, the two men were impaled, on sharpened poles.
This was all recorded, in The Book, of the History, of King Xerxes’ Reign.
Tyndale House Publishers. 2015.
Esther 2:12-23
Praise be to God!
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