esther chapter 2 kjv

Esther 2 (King James Version) 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. 2 Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:

Full Answer

What is the second chapter of Esther about?

This chapter introduces Mordecai and his adoptive daughter, Esther, whose beauty won the approval of the king Ahasuerus, and she was crowned the queen of Persia (verse 17).

How did Esther became the queen?

In 478 B.C., Esther became the queen of Persia. Previously, she was a member of the harem of the Persian king Ahasuerus, who was also known as King Xerxes. But when the former queen, Vashti, fell into disfavor with her husband, Ahasuerus, the king chose Esther to be his wife and queen.

What was Esther's request?

Then the king asked, "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you." "If it pleases the king," replied Esther, "let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him."

When did Esther turn come out?

When the turn came for Esther (the girl Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her.

How old was Esther when she got married?

According to one tradition, she was forty years old, while another places her age at seventy-four, which is the numerical value of the name “Hadassah” (Esther's second name), or, according to another calculation of this numerical value, seventy-five (see above).

Why was Esther called Hadassah?

According to the Hebrew Bible, queen Esther was born with the name הֲדַסָּה‎ Hadassah ("Myrtle"). Her name was changed to Esther to hide her identity upon becoming queen of Persia. The three letter root of Esther in Hebrew is s-t-r ( סתר‎), "hide, conceal". The passive infinitive is ( לְהִסָּ֫תֶר‎), "to be hidden".

Why is the Book of Esther important?

Written in the diaspora in the late Persian/early Hellenistic period (fourth century B.C.E.), the Book of Esther is a Jewish novella that deals with the enduring issues of preserving Jewish identity and ensuring survival amid cultural pressures and hostile enemies in a foreign land.

What are the qualities of Esther in the Bible?

Contents hide2.1 Esther Submitted to God.2.2 Esther Had Wisdom.2.3 Esther Never Abused Her Authority.2.4 Esther Loved God.2.5 Esther's Faith Was Strong.2.6 Esther Displayed courage.2.7 Esther Showed humility.2.8 Esther Had Patience.More items...•

Why did Esther delay her request?

In Esther's acumen, the king has prematurely reiterated his invitation which thereby had resulted in an environ-ment not conducive for her intended plea bargain; in other words, "Queen Esther wants to delay until such time as the king, under the influence of wine, is in a good mood and willing to comply with her wishes ...

Who advised Esther?

Esther hesitates, saying that she could be put to death if she goes to the king without being summoned; nevertheless, Mordecai urges her to try. Esther asks that the entire Jewish community fast and pray for three days before she goes to see the king; Mordecai agrees.

Who knows but for such a time as this?

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?

Who took Esther into his house?

And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. 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.

Where was Esther brought to the king's house?

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.

What did Ahasuerus say to Vashti?

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

Who charged Esther with the commandment of Mordecai?

20 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.

Who loved Esther above all the women?

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.

Who was the Jew in Shushan?

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; 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.

Who took Esther into his house?

16 So Esther was taken vnto king Ahasuerus, into his house royall, in the tenth moneth (which is the moneth Tebeth) in the seuenth yeere of his reigne.

Who told Esther the Queene?

22 And the thing was knowen to Mordecai, who told it vnto Esther the Queene, and Esther certified the king thereof, in Mordecais name.

Where did Shee come in the euening?

14 In the euening she went, and on the morrowe she returned into the second house of the women, to the custodie of Shaashgaz the kings chamberlen, which kept the concubines: shee came in vnto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that shee were called by name.

Did Esther shewe her kindred?

20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred, nor her people, as Mordecai had charged her: For Esther did the commandement of Mordecai, like as when she was brought vp with him.

Esther Chosen Queen

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.

Mordecai Discovers a Plot

19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate. 20 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.

What is the meaning of Esther chapter 2?

Esther Chapter 2. In Esther chapter 2, King Xerxes, a man of extraordinary wealth and power, calms down from the decree he had issued to Queen Vashti after she refused to attend to him. As a result of her refusal, the king’s assistants proposed a search for virgins for the king to choose from. As such, commissioners from different provinces were ...

How many maids did Esther receive in Esther chapter 2?

In Esther chapter 2, Esther pleases the king. She became his favorite, so he moved her into a secluded place in the kingdom and offered seven maids for her beauty treatment. However, she kept quiet of her origins as Mordecai had taught her. She would receive all day treatment for 12 months – six months for treatment with myrrh and the remaining six months with scents and ointments.

What did Ahasuerus say to Vashti?

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

When was Esther taken into his house?

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.

Where was Esther brought to the king's house?

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.

Who was the royal officer that Mordecai slipped the secret to Esther?

During the initial line-up of virgins, Mordecai had overheard two royal officers, Bigthana and Teresh, strategizing to assassinate the king. So when Esther became queen, Mordecai slipped the secret to her. The king ordered an investigation on the report. In no time, the report turned out to be true. The officers were hanged on the gallows and the credit was given to Mordecai. Queen Esther became trustworthy to a greater extent, but still maintained her lineage secret as Mordecai had ordered her.

Who charged Esther with the commandment of Mordecai?

20 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.

What is the meaning of ESTHER 2:16?

ESTHER 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. 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, ...

What does Esther 2:18 mean?

ESTHER 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. ESTHER 2:19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate. ESTHER 2:20 Esther had not ...

When the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had?

ESTHER 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.

Where did Esther go in the evening?

ESTHER 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. ESTHER 2:15 Now when the turn of Esther, ...

Who told Esther the Queen of Esther?

ESTHER 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. ESTHER 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.

Who was carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity?

ESTHER 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. 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;

Who were the two chamberlains in the king's gate?

ESTHER 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 hands on the king Ahasuerus.

Text

This chapter was originally written in the Hebrew language and since the 16th century, is divided into 23 verses.

The king's decision to seek a new queen (2:1–4)

To find a replacement for a Persian queen after the deposal of Vashti, the king decided to hold a nationwide contest following the advice of his counselors.

Esther's admission to the court (2:5–11)

As the requirement to enter the contest is simply her beauty ( verse 3 ), Esther's status of being Jewish, a descendant of captives ( verse 6 ), without father and mother, did not hinder her entrance to the court. Once she was in the harem, she obtained 'a favored position in eyes of the harem-master'.

Mordecai's discovery of the plot against the king (2:19–23)

The crowning of Esther (left) with Mordecai at the gate, listening to Bigthan and Teresh conspiring against the king (right). Gerard de Jode, 1579.