“Esther Becomes Queen”
Esther 2:1-23
We sometimes hear statements like; “As fate would have it” or “It just so happened” but in reality they reveal a basic lack of under-standing about the sovereignty of God. God is at work in every area of our lives; without violating our ability to choose and without interrupting the ordinary flow of human affairs. To truly under-stand that God controls all things; will deliver us from worry and fear.
In chapter one, we took note that the Book of Esther has much to teach us about the amazing providence of God. The word providence is made up of two Greek words: (pro) with means “before” and (video) which means “to see.” Therefore pro-vidence speaks of foresight or the ability to see something before it happens. Our sovereign God not only sees what is ahead but He also takes action in relation to what He sees. God is behind the scenes directing the ordinary events of life to bring about His predetermined plan. He had promised to preserve Israel and the book of Esther demonstrates how He controlled events to accom-plish His purpose. God worked no miracles but worked through the seemingly unremarkable circumstances of life to accomplish His extra-ordinary purpose! There are no outward miracles in Esther just a series of seeming coincidences.
In Chapter two we begin to see God’s provid-ence at work – working his purpose behind the scenes. God’s providence is when He works through the timing of situations to bring about His purposes and also meet people’s needs and bring them to Him.
I believe that nothing happens in our lives as a result of coincidence. God has a master plan that He is working out in the world and in our lives, and every single situation that occurs happens for a reason. The people we meet and run into, the things we experience, etc., all are working accord-ing to God’s plans. Even when men are wicked and refuse His will in their lives, God is still working His plans out in the world in spite of them. You will remember from last week that we were introduced to King Ahasueras (Xerxes) who was the tyrannical leader of Persia. He gave a 6 month long feast for “the powers of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the princes of the provinces (1:3) to showcase his great wealth and to solidify support for his impending military campaign against the Greeks.
At the end of the six month feast that the king then held a one week long feast for the inhabitants of the capital city. On the final day of the feast after the king has been drinking for seven days and is now intoxicated with his own pride and was “merry with wine” – under the influence of alcohol. The inebriated king decides to display his beautiful queen to his guests and sent a command for Queen Vashti to leave the feast she is hosting for the women and come over to his feast and display her beauty. Scholars have debated the meaning of the king’s command. Some suggest it simply meant that Vashti was to come unveiled with would have been scandal enough in a Persian Court. But other suggests that she was to come wearing only her crown. But whatever he meant she said no! The next day the king asks his advisors what they think should be done because of the queens’ refusal of his request. Fearing that it set a bad example for the women of the kingdom who may now not show proper respect for their husbands, they advise that the queen be removed as queen and some else found to take her place.
The kings attention now turned to his mili-tary campaign against the Greeks (481-479) he gathered one of the greatest armies ever assembled (in fact Xerxes spent four full years in collecting his army and making sure that everything his soldiers would need was ready) however in spite of his careful planning and in spite of the fact that he fielded an army of some 200 thousand men and fleet of many hundreds of ships, the Persian were soundly defeat.
First, The Sadness of the King. (2:1)
“After these things, when the wrath of King Ahas-uerus subsided, he remembered Vashti, what she had done, and what had been decreed against her.”
So “after these things” means that these events took place after Xerxes led his expedition against Greece and came home in defeat. Four years have elapsed between (chapter one) Vashti’s removal and (chapter 2) Esther’s selection. When it says the king “remembered Vashti” - “remember” carries the idea of remember with affection. The king now has had time to consider the rashness of his decision to have Vashti removed as queen. Now that the king is back at the palace and he is depressed and lonely.
His loneliness is not simply from a from a lack of female company as most kings of the time; he had a harem of concubines (v.9) to meet his physical needs. But he wanted more, he wanted a wife, someone who to be his companion, someone who really cares.
Second, The Suggestion of the Servants. (2:2-4)
“Then the king’s servants who attended him said: “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king; 3 and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather all the beautiful young virgins to Shushan the citadel, into the women’s quarters, under the custody of Hegai the king’s eunuch, custodian of the women. And let beauty preparations be given them.4 Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This thing pleased the king, and he did so.”
It is not a good thing when an absolute dictator is unhappy and perhaps looking for some-one to take it out on! His attendants always aware of the king’s moods recognized what was happen-ing and perhaps fearful the king’s unhappiness would be taken out on them, proposed that the king follow through with the proposal for a new queen.
The plan was to pretty simple; to assemble a harem from the most beautiful women of the land; bring them into a harem for the king, and choose the most favored woman to be his queen from that group. This was sort of a “Miss Persian Empire” contest, and the winner would be queen instead of Vashti. The qualification were very simple; be young, be a virgin and be pretty. We told that the plan “pleased the king, and he did so.” (v. 4)
Third, The Story of Esther’s Family. (2:5-11)
“In Shushan there was a certain Jew whose name
was Mordecai … a Benjamite…7 And Mordecai had
brought up…Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman was lovely and beautiful. When her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter. 8 So it was, when the king’s command and decree were heard, and when many young women were gathered at Shushan the citadel,
under the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to the king’s palace, into the care of Hegai the custodian of the women.9 Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor; so he readily gave beauty preparations to her, besides
her allowance. Then seven choice maidservants were provided for her from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maidservants to the best
place in the house of the women.10 Esther had not revealed her people or family, for Mordecai had charged her not to reveal it. 11 And every day Mordecai paced in front of the court of the women’s quarters, to learn of Esther’s welfare and what was happening to her.”
Mordecai had served as guardian and raised ‘Hadassah’ (Esther’s Hebrew name) since she was a young girl because her parents had somehow died. “No one seemed further away, by birth and circum-stances, from being a queen than Esther (she) was. But in the mysterious providence of God the most unlikely things do happen.” [“Handsful on Purpose.” p. 159] Some have thought that it was wrong for Mordecai to allow Esther to become this worldly king’s wife and to win this beauty contest, but the original language indicates that in all likelihood Mordecai and Esther probably had very little choice in the matter. When it says here that “Esther was taken to the king’s palace” (v. 8) the word translated ‘was taken’ means in the Hebrew “was taken forcibly.” I don’t know that either Mordecai or Esther desired this for Esther.
Mordecai has also been criticized because he told Esther not to reveal that she was a Jew (v. 10), however he may have felt that it would be best for Esther not to reveal her heritage at that time. Telling Esther to be silent about her heritage was probably for the young girl’s protection. Whatever the reason may be, Mordecai later that he was willing to take a difficult stand on the side of truth when it really mattered, a stand that could easily have resulted in the loss of his life.
Fourth, The Selection of a New Queen.
(2:12-18)
“Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beau-tifying women. 13 Thus prepared, each young woman went to the king, and she was given what-ever she desired to take with her from the women’s quarters to the king’s palace. 14 In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaa-shgaz, the king’s eunuch who kept the concubines. She would not go in to the king again unless the king delighted in her and called for her by name.
15 Now when the turn came for Esther … to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her. 16 So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, … in the seventh year of his reign. 17 The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 Then the king made a great feast, the Feast of Esther, for all his officials and servants; and he proclaimed a holiday in the provinces and gave gifts according to the gener-osity of a king.”
Notice here the beauty treatment that all the women were subjected to in order to make them beautiful for this year prior to appearing before the king: “six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and the cosmetics” (v. 12). The “oil of myrrh” (v. 12) was both a cleansing agent as well as a chemical that softened and smoothed one’s skin. She was also given various deodorant scents that would improve her scent and make it fragrant.
The plan was that after their period of preparation that each of the young women chosen, would spend a night with the king. Those who were not chosen appear to have been kept on as king’s concubines. A think it is safe to assume that when the night was over the young lady was no longer a virgin.
As for those not chosen “they were banished to the harem where they stayed the wife or the concubine of the king, but rarely if ever saw him afterwards. And they were never free to marry another man, essentially living as a perpetual widow.” [David Guzik. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/esther-2/]
When each of the young virgins when it became their turn to go in and present themselves to the king in this beauty contest, they could bring in with them anything that they wanted to bring.
What they chose to bring with them would speak about their character and nature to the king. These young women in this competition could request incredibly valuable jewelry, various clothes to wear, purses to carry, etc.
What set Esther apart here in how she appro-ached appearing before the king, she chose to bring with her only what Hegai, who was the eunuch in charge of the harem, advised her to take into the king’s presence. This reflected on her character as being sincere and simple, and it shows that she was not into using external worldly means in décor-ating the external of her body I order to look beauty.
Esther was a beautiful woman, but what we see here in her life and in this story is that which makes for true beauty. True beauty is on from the inside. Esther was beautiful from the inside out: “And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her.” (v. 15)
Today, there is incredible pressure upon women, especially young girls, to make themselves attractive in their “external” appearance. Every woman who appears on a magazine cover, and most who are on television and in movies is pre-senting an image of what true beauty is to con-sist. I heard one time that something like 90% of all of the women actors in Hollywood had some form of cosmetic surgery. But, many women who use all of the products and techniques, and have all of these surgeries, are never achieve beauty because true beauty comes from within, from the heart.
The Apostle Peter issues an caution for women that talks about how that they should adorn themselves, and notice it says they should be: “Your adornment must not be merely external —braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.” (1 Peter 3:2-4)
If you believe in the providence of God you have to believe that Esther would have been picked over the other young women even if she hadn’t taken all of those cosmetics for the year.
The king apparently fell in love immediately with Esther: “the king loved Esther more than all the women” (v. 17). The king immediately ‘set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.’ (v. 17)
The king was so excited about taking Esther to be queen and his wife that he threw ‘a great feast’ for her and he also “made a holiday for the provinces and gave gifts according to the gener-osity of the king.” (v. 18). We can imagine that it was quite an affair, because as have already witnessed in chapter one the king knew how to throw a party.
At this time, Esther was taken to be queen and wife, but as such she now was living a life that involved a good amount of compromise. The man who was now her husband was a wicked king who was filled with selfish pride, along with being a pagan. But in spite of the fact her life now forced her into much compromise against her own beliefs and values, she still managed to be in submission to her husband and maintain his favor. Because she was willing to let God work in and through her life in the midst of her new life as queen, she was able to be put in a situation where she could because of having the king’s favor be able to intercede for her people and avert their total destruction.
Fifth, The Devotion of Mordecai. (2:19-23)
• He Discovers a Plot. (vv. 19-21)
“When virgins were gathered together a second time, Mordecai sat within the king’s gate. 20 Now
Esther had not revealed her family and her people, just as Mordecai had charged her, for Esther obey-ed the command of Mordecai as when she was brought up by him. 21 In those days, while Mord-ecai sat within the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, doorkeepers, became furious and sought to lay hands on King Ahasu-erus.”
God’s providence is again in action. We see how that the Lord allowed Mordecai to gain favor with the king by causing him to overhear word about a plot to assassinate the king.
• He Discloses the Plot. (v. 22)
“So the matter became known to Mordecai, who told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name.”
Mordecai then got word of the plot to his niece and then she communicated the plot to the king, most likely through his attendants and advisors. This threat of assassination was real. In August 465 BC, Artabanus, the commander of the royal bodyguard and the most powerful official in the Persian court, assassinated Xerxes with the help of a eunuch, Ahasuerus was murdered and his son Artaxerxes I came to the throne.
• The Destiny Of the Plotters. (v. 23)
“And when an inquiry was made into the matter, it was confirmed, and both were hanged on a gal-lows; and it was written in the book of the chron-icles in the presence of the king.”
Apparently some attempt at justice was carried out concerning these two men who had plotted to assassinate the king, they were not executed until after ‘the plot was investigated and found to be so.’
The result was that “both were hanged on a gallows” it could refer to a hanging with a noose around the neck, but could also mean being impal-ed on a stake. Usually for the Persians impaling was not generally the means of execution but a subsequent step designed to expose the body to public shame.
Apparently there was some sort of a record that was kept of the important events which occur-red in the kingdom and it is called here, ‘The Book of the Chronicles.’ Mordecai’s deed in reporting this plot and thus averting the king’s assassination was written on this day into this book for posterity. This will prove very important to Mordecai later.
As much as some would like to picture Esther as a young woman without flaw or fault it has to be recognized that she was less than perfect
? Esther was among those who chose to say in Persia rather than return to the land.
? Esther failed to tell the truth (my mother called that a lie) about her nationality.
? Esther apparently had no problem eating non-kosher foods as Daniel had. (Esther 2:9)
? Esther had sexual relations with a man who was not her husband. (Although it must be granted that she may not have had a choice) Compare Ex. 20:14 with Esther 2:12-14.
? Esther married in violation to O.T. teaching. (Deut. 7:1-4)
I am not trying to diminish your view of Esther but rather to recognize that even our mistakes can frustrate the providence of God.
Conclusion
Iain Duguid makes the following application in commentary on Esther, “Here is the hope for all those who find themselves in difficult circumstance in the present because of their past sin and compro-mise. Here is the hope for people who married a non-Christian husband or wife, even though they knew it was wrong. The person who chose a career based on all the wrong motivations, or who has wasted a lifetime in the pursuit of the wrong goals can discover that God is sovereign even over those sinful choices and wasted opport-unities. Perhaps he has brought us to where we are today so that we can serve him in a unique way. If so, that doesn’t make those wrong decisions and sinful actions right. But it should cause us to give thanks to God that he is able to form beautiful pictures out of our smudged and stained efforts. Past failures do not write us out of a significant part in God’s script for the future.”[Iain M. Duguid. “Esther and Ruth.” Reformed Expository Commentary. (Philipsburg: NJ, P& R Pub., 2005) p. 29]
“Esther Becomes Queen”
Esther 2:1-23
The king has not been successful in his military campaign against the Greeks.
First, The Sadness of the King. (2:1)
Now that the king is back at the palace and he is depressed and lonely.
Second, The Suggestion of the Servants. (2:2-4)
Third, The Story of Esther’s Family. (2:5-11)
Fourth, The Selection of a New Queen. (2:12-18)
Fifth, The Devotion of Mordecai. (2:19-23)
• He Discovers a Plot. (vv. 19-21)
• He Discloses the Plot. (v. 22)
• The Destiny Of the Plotters. (v. 23)
“Esther Becomes Queen”
Esther 2:1-23
The king has not been successful in his military campaign against the Greeks.
First, The ___________ of the King. (2:1)
Now that the king is back at the palace and he is depressed and lonely.
Second, The ____________ of the Servants. (2:2-4)
Third, The __________ of Esther’s Family. (2:5-11)
Fourth, The __________ of a New Queen. (2:12-18)
Fifth, The _____________ of Mordecai. (2:19-23)
• He ___________ a Plot. (vv. 19-21)
• He ___________ the Plot. (v. 22)
• The __________ Of the Plotters. (v. 23)
