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[a] suggested, “Let a search be made for beautiful young women for the king.(D) Let the king appoint commissioners(E) in each province of his kingdom, so that they may assemble all the beautiful young women to the harem at the fortress of Susa.(F) Put them under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch,(G) who is in charge 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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Esther 2:2 Lit The young men of the king who served him

Finding a new queen

Sometime later when King Ahasuerus was less angry, he remembered Vashti, what she had done, and what he had decided about her. So his young male servants said, “Let the king have a search made for beautiful young women who haven’t yet married. And let the king choose certain people in all the royal provinces to lead the search. Have them bring all the beautiful young women together to the fortified part of Susa, to the women’s house, to the care of Hegai the king’s eunuch in charge of the women so that he might provide beauty treatments for them. Let the young woman who pleases you the most take Vashti’s place as queen.” The king liked the plan and implemented it.

Read full chapter