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Esther Becomes Queen

But after Xerxes’ anger had subsided, he began thinking about Vashti and what she had done and the decree he had made. So his personal attendants suggested, “Let us search the empire to find beautiful young virgins for the king. Let the king appoint agents in each province to bring these beautiful young women into the royal harem at the fortress of Susa. Hegai, the king’s eunuch in charge of the harem, will see that they are all given beauty treatments. After that, the young woman who most pleases the king will be made queen instead of Vashti.” This advice was very appealing to the king, so he put the plan into effect.

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Vashti’s Successor Sought

After these things, (A)when the anger of King Ahasuerus had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done, and (B)what had been decided regarding her. Then the king’s attendants, who served him, said, “(C)Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king. And may the king appoint overseers in (D)all the provinces of his kingdom, and have them [a]bring every beautiful young virgin to the citadel of Susa, to the harem, into the custody of (E)Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and (F)let their cosmetics be given to them. Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen in place of Vashti.” And the [b]suggestion pleased the king, and he did accordingly.

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Footnotes

  1. Esther 2:3 Lit gather
  2. Esther 2:4 Lit word