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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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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