📖 Esther — Chapter 2 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Esther 2:1 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, Rhe remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
Esther 2:2 Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, RLet there be fair young virgins sought for the king:
Esther 2:3 And let the king appoint officers Rin all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, Tunto the custody of THege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:
Esther 2:4 And Rlet the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
Esther 2:5 Now in RShushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;
Esther 2:6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with RTJeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
Esther 2:7 And he RTbrought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was Tfair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
Esther 2:8 So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
Esther 2:9 And the maiden pleased him, and Rshe obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with Tsuch things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he Tpreferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.
Esther 2:10 Esther Rhad not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.
Esther 2:11 And Mordecai Rwalked every day before the court of the women’s house, Tto know how Esther did, and what should become of her.
Esther 2:12 Now when every maid’s turn was come Rto go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)
Esther 2:13 Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.
Esther 2:14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king Rdelighted in her, and that she were called by name.
Esther 2:15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
Esther 2:16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in Rthe tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
Esther 2:17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and Tfavour Tin his sight more than all the virgins; Rso that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
Esther 2:18 Then the king Rmade a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a Trelease to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
Esther 2:19 And when Rthe virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king’s gate.
Esther 2:20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: Rfor Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.
Esther 2:21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, RTBigthan and Teresh, of those which kept Tthe door, were wroth, and sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus.
Esther 2:22 And Rthe thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name.
Esther 2:23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both Rhanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Esther 2:1–11 — Esther brought into the court
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The king's servants arrange a search for a new queen. Esther, also called Hadassah, is brought into the royal house. Mordecai has raised her after her parents' deaths and continues checking on her welfare. The account describes a royal system with unequal power, not a model of freely chosen courtship to idealize.
Key Truth: Attend to vulnerable people within unequal situations.
Check What You Remember
1. What was Esther's other name? (Esther 2:7)
Find it in Esther 2:7 (KJV).
2. Who had raised her as his daughter? (Esther 2:7)
Find it in Esther 2:7 (KJV).
3. What did Mordecai seek to learn each day? (Esther 2:11)
Find it in Esther 2:11 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Esther 2:12–20 — Esther becomes queen
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
After the appointed preparation, Esther goes to the king and receives the crown. She continues to conceal her people as Mordecai instructed. Her new position will become important to the unfolding danger, but at this point the narrator has not yet explained all that it will mean. Read the sequence before drawing conclusions about its purpose.
Key Truth: Read unfolding events patiently before assuming their whole meaning.
Check What You Remember
1. Who advised Esther concerning what to take? (Esther 2:15)
Find it in Esther 2:15 (KJV).
2. In which month was she taken to the king? (Esther 2:16)
Find it in Esther 2:16 (KJV).
3. Whom did Esther replace as queen? (Esther 2:17)
Find it in Esther 2:17 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Esther 2:21–23 — A plot reported and recorded
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Mordecai learns of a plot against the king and tells Esther, who reports it in his name. The accusation is investigated and recorded after confirmation. The record will matter later in the story. Truthful reporting and remembered service can have significance beyond what is immediately rewarded.
Key Truth: Report serious concerns truthfully and allow them to be examined.
Check What You Remember
1. Which two chamberlains plotted against the king? (Esther 2:21)
Find it in Esther 2:21 (KJV).
2. Who reported Mordecai's information to the king? (Esther 2:22)
Find it in Esther 2:22 (KJV).
3. Where was the matter recorded? (Esther 2:23)
Find it in Esther 2:23 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Esther 6:2 — The later reading of this record becomes a turning point.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can you show steady concern for someone whose situation limits their choices?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does Mordecai’s care for Esther connect with her family situation?
2. What does Esther conceal at Mordecai’s direction?
3. How are the months of preparation divided?
4. What distinguishes Esther’s choice of what to take to the king?
5. How does the threat against the king become an official record?
Notes
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