Bible Chapter Summary
Esther 2 Summary
Esther Becomes Queen in Vashti's Place
After King Ahasuerus's wrath is appeased, his servants propose seeking fair young virgins to find a new queen. Mordecai, a Jew in Shushan, brings up his cousin Hadassah (called Esther), an orphan who is fair and beautiful. When Esther is gathered with the other maidens to go to the king, she finds favor with Hegai, the keeper of the women, and receives special treatment. After twelve months of beauty preparations, Esther is brought to the king and obtains grace more than all the virgins; he sets the royal crown upon her and makes her queen instead of Vashti. Meanwhile, Mordecai discovers a plot by two of the king's chamberlains to lay hands on the king and reports it through Esther.
Key themes
Key verses
Esther 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.”
Esther 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 2:10
“Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.”
Esther 2:21-23
“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.”
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