Esther
Chapter 14
Esther Before Ahasuerus
Ending her prayer on the third day, Esther removed her penitential garments and donned her royal attire.
Radiant in appearance after calling upon the all-seeing God and Savior, she took her two maids with her.
She gently leaned on one of them for support.
At the same time, the other followed behind carrying her train.
Although her heart was frozen with fear, she looked radiant in her perfect beauty, her face showing love and joy.
After passing through all the doors, she found herself face to face with the king seated on his throne, awe-inspiring in his full majesty, with robes adorned with gold and precious stones.
As he looked up, his face flushed with regal anger, the queen faltered, turned pale, and leaned weakly on the maid’s shoulder before her.
Then God transformed the king’s anger into kindness. Alarmed, he rose from his throne, embraced Esther until she recovered, and comforted her with soothing words:
“What is it, Esther?” He said: “I am your brother. Take heart.
You will not die because our decree applies only to ordinary people.
Come, speak to me.”
He raised the golden scepter, touched her neck, then embraced her, saying: “Speak to me.”
Esther spoke: “My lord, I saw you as an angel of God, and I trembled with fear before your majesty.
For you are admirable, my lord, and your appearance is awesome although you are full of kindness.”
But she fainted while speaking.
The king was deeply distressed, and his attendants tried to revive her.
Commentaries
Esther Before Ahasuerus.
This new addition by the later editor interrupts the scene of Esther presenting herself before the king and aims to confirm the fulfillment of one of the requests in Esther’s prayer. She asked her God to change the king’s heart. Anyone who appeared before the throne without prior summons faced death, but in Esther’s case, the king’s anger subsided, and he warmly welcomed his wife (10-15).