Bible Verses

Then, when the girl was to present herself to the king, she was allowed to take anything she wanted from the harem to the king’s palace.

After a twelve-month preparation period designated for the women, each was to appear in turn before King Ahasuerus. This preparation involved beautifying treatments: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with perfumes and cosmetics.

Every day, Mordecai would walk back and forth through the harem courtyard to check on Esther’s well-being.

Esther did not disclose her nationality or family details because Mordecai had forbidden her from doing so.

Esther pleased the custodian of women and gained his favor. He not only quickly provided her with cosmetics and good food but also assigned her seven special maids from the king’s household and moved her and her maids to the best part of the harem.

By the king’s decree, many young girls were brought to Susa and placed in Hegai’s care. Esther was among them.

Mordecai was a foster father to his cousin Hadassah, who is also known as Esther, after she lost both her father and mother. The girl had a lovely face and figure. Following the death of her parents, Mordecai adopted her as his own daughter.

who had been exiled from Jerusalem among the captives taken away with King Jeconiah of Judah by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar.

Now there lived in Susa a Jew named Mordecai, son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite

Let the girl who pleases the king take Vashti’s place.” The king was happy with the suggestion, and he followed through on it.