Esther 2:18-23

18 Then the king 1gave a great feast for all his officials and servants; it was Esther's feast. He also granted a remission of taxes to the provinces and gave gifts with royal generosity.

Mordecai Discovers a Plot

19 Now when the virgins were gathered together 2the second time, Mordecai was sitting 3at the king's gate.
20 4Esther had not made known her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had commanded her, for Esther obeyed Mordecai just 5as when she was brought up by him.
21 In those days, as Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, 6Bigthan and 7Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.
22 And this came to the knowledge of Mordecai, 8and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in the name of Mordecai.
23 When the affair was investigated and found to be so, the men were both hanged on the gallows.[a] And it was recorded in 9the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.

Esther 2:18-23 Meaning and Commentary

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 2:1-8, 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 2:9-18. Mordecai, to whom Esther was related, and according to whose advice she acted, sitting in the king's gate, discovered a conspiracy against the king, which he now made known to Esther, Es 2:19-23.

Cross References 9

  • 1. See Esther 1:3
  • 2. ver. 3, 4
  • 3. ver. 21; Esther 3:2, 3; Esther 5:9, 13; Esther 6:10, 12
  • 4. ver. 10
  • 5. ver. 7
  • 6. [Esther 1:10; Esther 6:2]
  • 7. Esther 6:2
  • 8. Esther 6:2; [Esther 7:9]
  • 9. Esther 6:1; Esther 10:2

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or suspended on a stake
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.