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John Gill
INTRODUCTION TO Esther 2 By the advice of the ministers of King Ahasuerus, fair virgins were sought for throughout his dominions, and brought to his chamberlain, the keeper of the women, among whom was Esther, a Jewish virgin, Es 2:1, who found favour with the chamberlain, and afterwards with the king, who made her queen instead of Vashti, and a feast on that account, Es 2:9. Mordecai, to whom...
John Gill
And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom,.... Who best knew where beautiful virgins might be found in their respective provinces, in which they dwelt: that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace; the metropolis of the kingdom, where was the royal palace: to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain,...
Matthew Henry
Two things are recorded in this chapter, which were working towards the deliverance of the Jews from Haman's conspiracy:—I. The advancement of Esther to be queen instead of Vashti. Many others were candidates for the honour (ver. 1-4); but Esther, an orphan, a captive-Jewess (ver. 5-7), recommended herself to the king's chamberlain first (ver. 8-11) and then to the king (ver. 12-17), who made her...