Est 2:1 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
After these things... Between chapters 1 and 2 is a time lapse of some 4 years. And during that time the king takes his army to avenge the defeat of his father by the Greeks. He did defeat the Greeks at Thermopylae but was soundly defeated in the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC and the Battle of Plataea in 479 BC. During this unsuccessful attempt to defeat the Greeks, he not only lost a large portion of the kingdoms wealth, but returned home in shame. It is because of all this, that we see the events of chapter 2 transpire. (Guglielmo)
King Ahasuerus was thinking about the queen and what she had done against him, not obeying his drunken request. He thought of how he had cut her off from himself and her wealth. The king was blaming her, not himself, seeking his own pleasure. He had removed her, but perhaps there was an emptiness in his heart?
Many in our time take vengeance on another, blaming them, divorcing them and taking as much wealth as they can from them, with the help of lawyers and ungodly counselors. Still there is an emptiness and many seek pleasure from another, never admitting to their own guilt in the matter. There is no fulfillment from the world, fulfillment comes from obeying God, humbling oneself before him, even if another is filled with hate and vengeance. This is the way of peace and forgiveness; God is your help.
Est 2:2 Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:
Let the king find something to fill his emptiness. Find fair young virgins for him. They have to be pleasing to look upon. We shall have a beauty contest. The King had all the wealth and power, how dare queen Vashti to not love and obey him? But, we all know that love bought is not true love. Line up the women, let the king pick a new queen.
Est 2:3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:
chamberlain, cariyc, meaning to castrate, eunuchs in charge of the women.
Clean up the virgins, give them soap and water and sweet smelling ointments. This process would take an entire year. (vs 12)
Est 2:4 And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
Let the king choose from the best looking women in the kingdom. Beauty is more than outward appearance. To have good character and a good heart is the best beauty.
Est 2:5 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;
Est 2:6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
Est 2:7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
Enter Mordecai, who had a duty in the palace, a Jew. He was a cousin to Hadassah, which means Myrtle or joy, also named Esther. When her father and mother died, he being a kinsman and older, adopted her. The Jews had been captives in the land since King Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried them away.
Est 2:8 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
Esther was a beautiful virgin who was one selected to be considered by the king. She was placed into the care of Hegai, the keeper of the women.
Est 2:9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.
Hegei liked Esther and he gave her loving kindness.
Est 2:10 Esther had not showed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not show it.
Esther kept secret that she was a Jewish woman.
Est 2:11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.
He loved Esther and was concerned about her.
Est 2:12 Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)
Est 2:13 Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house.
Est 2:14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.
Each of the chosen virgins were to spend a night with the king. After this, the king would decide who would be wife and who would be a concubine. They were forced to go along with this, for he was king. Satan is king of the earth and many are taken captive by him, until Jesus comes to free them.
2 Tim 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
2 Tim 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
2 Tim 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Est 2:15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
Esther wore clothing selected by Hegai, not her own decision. She would wear the proper apparel, as he chose for her. She was favored by God and man.
To come in the presence of God, the King. One must have the symbolic white linen given by Jesus for us to wear.
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Rev 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Est 2:16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
Est 2:17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
Esther was the kings choice to be queen. He did not know that she was a Jew. Esther means "hidden." Her identity was hidden.
Est 2:18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
Another great feast given for his bride, Esther. The church is the bride of Christ, we will find favor in His eyes and we shall have a wedding feast.
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Rev 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Est 2:19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.
Est 2:20 Esther had not yet showed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.
She obeyed her guardian. Esther is as the church and Mordecai as her guide, as a type of the Holy Spirit.
Est 2:21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
The king had many who were his enemies. The worst enemies are those who are close to you. Those which you have given a place of trust. Here are two eunichs, who kept the door to the kings harem, or to his palace, who plotted to kill him. At the door to the worlds pleasures is the devil, who seeks to steal kill and to destroy you.(John 10:10)
Est 2:22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name.
Mordecai warned the king through Esther. The truth should be spoken.
Mat 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Est 2:23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.
The men were executed and this was written in the kings records, in the chronicles. Evil shall be punished and good deeds rewarded. This would be remembered.
To Esther, life had taken her on a path she had no knowledge of, yet it was God's plan for her. She behaved herself wisely and found favor from man and the king. Never are we to do evil, even if we feel evil has overtaken us. God is there, he is going to work out his will, trust him. Act like a queen or a king. For we are children of the most high King. Trust the LORD with all your heart. You will see the reward in due time.
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