The Search for a New Queen

Some time later,(A) when King Ahasuerus’s rage(B) had cooled down, he remembered Vashti, what she had done, and what was decided against her.(C) The king’s personal attendants suggested, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king.(D) Let the king appoint commissioners(E) in each province of his kingdom, so that they may gather all the beautiful young virgins to the harem at the fortress of Susa.(F) Put them under the supervision of Hegai, the king’s eunuch,(G) keeper of the women,(H) and give them the required beauty treatments. Then the young woman who pleases the king(I) will become queen instead of Vashti.”(J) This suggestion pleased the king, and he did accordingly.

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The King Searches for a New Queen

After this, when the anger of King Ahasuerus had subsided, he remembered Vashti, what she had done, and what had been decreed about her. Then the young men who attended the king suggested, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king. Let the king appoint officials in all the provinces of his kingdom to bring all the beautiful young virgins into the harem in Susa the capital. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women to give them their beauty treatments.[a] Then let the young woman who pleases the king rule in place of Vashti.” This advice[b] pleased the king, and he did this.

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Footnotes

  1. Esther 2:3 Lit. their massages
  2. Esther 2:4 The Heb. lacks advice