Esther 2:4

And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

And let the maiden {H5291} which pleaseth {H3190}{H5869} the king {H4428} be queen {H4427} instead of Vashti {H2060}. And the thing {H1697} pleased {H3190}{H5869} the king {H4428}; and he did so {H6213}.

Then, the girl who seems best to the king should become queen instead of Vashti."This proposal pleased the king, so he acted accordingly.

Then let the young woman who pleases the king become queen in place of Vashti.” This suggestion pleased the king, and he acted accordingly.

and let the maiden that pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

Context of Esther 2:4

This verse marks a pivotal moment in the book of Esther, following the dramatic events of Queen Vashti's deposition. King Ahasuerus, having removed Vashti for her refusal to appear before him, was advised by his servants to gather beautiful young virgins from all 127 provinces of his vast Persian Empire. The goal was to find a new queen through a royal selection process. Verse 4 details the king's approval of this plan, signifying the official commencement of the search that would ultimately bring Esther, a Jewish orphan, into the royal palace at Susa.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Royal Authority and Decree: The verse highlights the absolute power of King Ahasuerus. His word is law, and his personal preference ("which pleaseth the king") dictates significant matters of state, including the selection of his queen.
  • The King's Pleasure as Criterion: The sole stated criterion for the new queen was her ability to "please" the king. This emphasizes the subjective nature of the selection process, initially based purely on physical attractiveness and charm, rather than lineage or political alliance.
  • Divine Providence at Work: While the narrative appears to be driven by human desire and political maneuvering, this verse sets the stage for God's hidden hand to work through seemingly ordinary or even worldly events. The king's decision, though seemingly arbitrary, is part of a larger divine plan to protect and elevate His people, the Jews. This subtle theme of God's sovereignty is central to the book of Esther.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "which pleaseth the king" comes from the Hebrew verb yatab (יטב), meaning "to be good, pleasing, agreeable, suitable." It's a straightforward term indicating satisfaction or approval. The simplicity of the language here underscores the direct and personal nature of the king's decision—he simply wanted a woman who was agreeable to him.

Related Scriptures

This verse initiates the process that culminates in Esther finding favor in the king's eyes and becoming queen. It provides the necessary background for understanding the extraordinary circumstances that led to her position. The broader theme of God working through human decisions, even those made for worldly reasons, is echoed in passages like Proverbs 16:33, "The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord."

Practical Application

Esther 2:4 reminds us that even in seemingly secular or random circumstances, God can be at work, orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes. For believers, it encourages trust in God's providence, knowing that He can use any situation, even a royal beauty pageant, to accomplish His will. It prompts reflection on how God might be working in our own lives through events that appear to be purely human decisions or coincidences.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, 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. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 20:16

    So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

  • Matthew 14:6

    But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

  • 2 Samuel 16:21

    And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that [are] with thee be strong.

  • 2 Samuel 16:23

    And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, [was] as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so [was] all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

  • 2 Samuel 17:4

    And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.

  • Esther 1:21

    And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

  • Matthew 22:14

    For many are called, but few [are] chosen.

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