Study Desk

In the third year of his rule, he gave a special supper for all his princes and leaders. The army captains of Persia and Media, the important men and princes of the many parts of the country were there with him.

For 180 days he showed the great riches and honor and power that were his as king of the nation.

When all the days were over, the king gave a supper lasting seven days for all the people from the greatest to the least who were in the city of Susa where he ruled. The supper was given in the open space of the garden of the king's special house.

Queen Vashti also gave a special supper for the women in the beautiful house that belonged to King Ahasuerus.

to bring Queen Vashti to the king with her crown. He wanted to show her beauty to the people and the princes, for she was beautiful.

Then the king spoke to the wise men who understood the times. For it was the king's way to speak with all who knew law and what was right and fair.

For what the queen has done will become known to all the women, and will make them hate their husbands. They will say, ‘King Ahasuerus told Queen Vashti to be brought to him, but she would not come.'

Then the king's servants who served him said, "Let beautiful young women be found for the king.

Let the king choose men to watch over all the parts of his nation, that they may gather every beautiful young woman who has never had a man to the city of Susa. Have them brought to the house for the king's wives, under the care of Hegai, the king's servant, who takes care of the women. And let their things for making them beautiful be given to them.

He had brought up Hadassah, that is Esther, the daughter of his father's brother. For she did not have a father or mother. The young lady was beautiful in body and face. When her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.

The words of the king were made known, and many young ladies were gathered to the city of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. So Esther was taken to the king's house into the care of Hegai, who cared for the women.

Now the young lady pleased Hegai and she found favor with him. He was quick to give her oils and special food, and gave her seven of the best women servants from the king's special house. He moved her and her women servants to the best place in the house for the king's wives.

The time for each young lady came to go in to King Ahasuerus after the end of her twelve months of being under the rules for the women. The days of making themselves beautiful were finished after using oil from spices for six months, and perfumes and oils for making themselves beautiful for another six months.

In the evening she would go in and in the morning she would return to the second house for the king's women, into the care of Shaashgaz, the king's servant who took care of his women who acted as wives. She would not go in to the king again unless the king was pleased with her and she was called by name.

Now the turn came for Esther, the daughter of Abihail, the brother of the father of Mordecai who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king. She did not ask for anything except what Hegai, the king's servant who took care of the women, said she should take. And Esther found favor in the eyes of all who saw her.

Then the king gave a great supper for all his princes and leaders. It was a special supper for Esther. He also made a special day for the nation, and gave many gifts.

Esther had not yet told who her family or her people were, as Mordecai had said. For she did what Mordecai told her just as she had done when she was under his care.

All the king's servants who were at the king's gate bowed down and gave honor to Haman, for the king had said that this should be done. But Mordecai did not bow down or give him honor.

They spoke to him each day, but he would not listen to them. So they told Haman to see if Mordecai's reason was good enough. For he had told them that he was a Jew.

Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people spread out among the people in all the parts of your nation whose laws are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king's laws. So it is not good for the king to let them stay.