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Esther

Tells how Queen Esther saves the Jews from being destroyed in Persia. ... click to read full summary of this book.

Chapter 2

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 events, when King Ahasuerus' anger calmed down, he thought about Vashti and her actions, as well as the decision made against her.

Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:

Then, the king's helpers said, "We should find beautiful young women for the king."

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:

The king should choose officials in all his territories. These officers must bring beautiful young girls to the palace, Shushan, to the women's house under Hege's care, who looks after the royal ladies. The girls should also receive items for cleansing.

And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

The king liked the girl who would become queen instead of Vashti. The king was happy with this idea and made it happen.

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;

In the palace of Shushan, there was a Jewish man named Mordecai. He was the son of Jair, son of Shimei, and son of Kish. His family was from the tribe of Benjamin.

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.

Who were taken from Jerusalem along with Jeconiah, the king of Judah, when Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, took them captive.

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.

He raised Hadassah, also known as Esther, who was his niece because she had no dad or mom. She was very pretty and lovely. After her parents passed away, Mordecai treated her like his own daughter.

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.

When the king's order was announced and many young women were brought to the palace under Hegai's care, Esther was also taken to the king's house, where she was under Hegai's watch along with the other women.

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.

The girl pleased him, and he treated her kindly. He quickly gave her purification items and other belongings, along with seven other girls from the king's household. He favored her and her maids with the best spot in the women's part of the house.

Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.

Esther hid her identity as a Jew from her family because Mordecai told her not to reveal it.

And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.

Mordecai regularly passed by the women's house court each day to check on Esther and see what would happen to her.

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;)

Now when it was time for each maid to meet King Ahasuerus, after they had been prepared for 12 months like other women. Their purification process took 6 months using myrrh oil and another 6 months with pleasant scents, along with other items to cleanse the women.

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.

Then, all the young women went to the king. They each got whatever they wanted and left the women's house to join the king at his place.

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.

In the evening, she left and the next day returned to the second women's house, where Shaashgaz, the king's aide, looked after the concubines. She only saw the king again if he wanted her specifically and called for her by name.

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.

Now when it was Esther's time to join the king, she asked only for what Hegai, the king's helper taking care of the women, suggested. Esther won favor with everyone who saw her.

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.

Esther went to live with King Ahasuerus in his royal home during the tenth month, called Tebeth, in the seventh year he ruled.

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.

The king really liked Esther more than any other woman. She was very well-liked by him and he favored her even more than all the other young women. He put a crown on her head and made her the queen instead of another lady named Vashti.

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.

Then the king threw a huge party for all his important people and celebrated with Esther's special feast. He also forgave the provinces and gave out presents based on how rich the king was.

And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king’s gate.

When the young women met again, Mordecai was sitting at the entrance to the king's palace.

Esther had not yet shewed 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.

Esther hadn't revealed her family or people, as Mordecai told her not to. She followed Mordecai's instructions, just like when they were together growing up.

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.

In those days, when Mordecai was at the king's entrance, two royal guards, Bigthan and Teresh, who guarded the door, became angry and tried to attack King Ahasuerus.

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 learned about this and told Esther, the queen. Esther then informed the king about it, using Mordecai's name.

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.

When an investigation happened, the truth was discovered. As a result, they were both hung from a tree. This information was recorded in the king's history book.

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