Esther 2:15

Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

Now when the turn {H8447} of Esther {H635}, the daughter {H1323} of Abihail {H32} the uncle {H1730} of Mordecai {H4782}, who had taken {H3947} her for his daughter {H1323}, was come {H5060} to go in {H935} unto the king {H4428}, she required {H1245} nothing {H1697} but what Hegai {H1896} the king's {H4428} chamberlain {H5631}, the keeper {H8104} of the women {H802}, appointed {H559}. And Esther {H635} obtained {H5375} favour {H2580} in the sight {H5869} of all them that looked {H7200} upon her.

When the turn came for Ester the daughter of Avichayil, whom Mordekhai had adopted as his own daughter, to appear before the king, she didn't ask for anything other than what Hegai the king's officer in charge of the harem advised. Yet Ester was admired by all who saw her.

Now Esther was the daughter of Abihail, the uncle from whom Mordecai had adopted her as his own daughter. And when it was her turn to go to the king, she did not ask for anything except what Hegai, the kingโ€™s trusted official in charge of the harem, had advised. And Esther found favor in the eyes of everyone who saw her.

Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the kingโ€™s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

Commentary

Context

King Ahasuerus (often identified with Xerxes I), the powerful ruler of the Persian Empire, was seeking a new queen after his previous queen, Vashti, defied his command (Esther 1:12). A vast selection process was initiated, gathering beautiful young virgins from across the 127 provinces to the palace at Susa. Among these hopefuls was Esther, a Jewish orphan adopted by her cousin Mordecai (Esther 2:7). This verse marks the pivotal moment when Esther's turn arrived to be presented to the king, after a year of purification treatments under the care of Hegai, the king's chamberlain in charge of the women.

Key Themes

  • Humility and Wisdom: Esther's conduct stands in stark contrast to what might be expected from someone vying for a royal position. She "required nothing but what Hegai... appointed." This demonstrates remarkable humility and wisdom. Unlike other contestants who might have demanded lavish personal adornments to impress the king, Esther trusted Hegai's expert guidance. Hegai, as "the keeper of the women," understood the king's preferences and the nuances of the palace, and Esther's willingness to rely on his counsel proved invaluable. Her lack of personal ambition for external show highlights an inner character that sought discernment over ostentation.
  • Divine Favor and Providence: The outcome of Esther's humble approach was profound: "And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her." This widespread favor, extending beyond Hegai to "all" who saw her, strongly suggests divine intervention and God's providential hand at work. It wasn't merely her physical beauty, but an aura of grace and acceptance that set her apart. This favor was crucial for her eventual elevation to queen and her significant role in saving her people.
  • Trust in Counsel: Esther's complete reliance on Hegai's recommendations underscores the importance of trusting the wisdom of those in authority or those with relevant experience. Her submission to the prescribed process, rather than attempting to manipulate it with personal preferences, aligned her with the path that would ultimately lead to her destiny.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "favour" is chen (ื—ึตืŸ). This term is frequently used in the Old Testament to denote grace, charm, or kindness, often implying a divine blessing or special approval. For example, Noah found chen (favor) in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6:8). In Esther's case, it signifies not just human admiration, but a deeper, divinely orchestrated acceptance that opened doors for her.

Practical Application

Esther 2:15 offers valuable lessons for today. It teaches us the power of humility and the importance of seeking and trusting wise counsel, rather than relying solely on outward appearances or personal ambition. Often, true favor and success come not from striving for attention through extravagance, but from a quiet confidence, genuine character, and a willingness to follow guidance. This verse reminds us that God can work through seemingly ordinary circumstances and human interactions to achieve His extraordinary purposes, preparing us for roles we may never have anticipated. Humility often precedes honor and blessing.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
The Story of Queen Esther: For Such a Time as This Lessons in Courage from the Life of Esther Mordecai's Faithfulness Mordecai: A Man of Courage and Conviction

Cross-References

  • Esther 2:3

    And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given [them]:

  • Song Of Solomon 6:9

    My dove, my undefiled is [but] one; she [is] the [only] one of her mother, she [is] the choice [one] of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; [yea], the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.

  • Esther 9:29

    Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim.

  • Acts 7:10

    And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

  • Song Of Solomon 8:10

    I [am] a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favour.

  • Esther 2:7

    And he brought up Hadassah, that [is], Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid [was] fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.

  • Esther 2:8

    So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
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