Esther 2:9

And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, [which were] meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best [place] of the house of the women.

Ver. 9. And the maiden pleased him] Hegai cast his favour upon her; not because she was the fairest, noblest, most industrious, most courtly, &c., but because God wrought his heart to it; as he did Potiphar's and Pharaoh's to Joseph, Jonathan's to David, Darius's to Daniel, &c. It is the Lord that gives favour, and fashioneth men's opinions of us. He gave Solomon honour; and Paul prays to him that his service may be accepted of the saints, Romans 15:31 .

And she obtained kindness of him] His favour was not empty favour, professional only, as that of courtiers.

And he speedily gave her, &c.] As resolving shortly to recommend her to the king, who, he knew, would be much ruled by him in his choice. Here were shadows of many excellent virtues in a blind ethnic; who may in some sort teach true kindness, and doth condemn those that boast of false liberality. He dealt not basely, but bountifully, with Esther.

Her things for purification] See Esther 2:3; Esther 2:12 .

With such things as belonged to her] Heb. Her portions or allowances of food, raiment, &c., which this faithful officer interverted not for his own private gain, but rather enlarged himself in the true bestowing thereof.

And seven maidens] When he might have put her off with one; he enlargeth himself, and even stretcheth his authority, that he might, by these maids of honour attending her, set her forth as a queen beforehand.

Which were meet to be given her] Or, which were very comely, speciosae, vel spectatae.

And he preferred] Heb. He changed her, sc. for the better, as God doth his people, when he taketh them to heaven, where they change place, but not company (as that good man, Dr Preston, saith upon his death bed), and are brought from the jaws of death to the joys of eternal life; from shadows to substances, from misery to majesty, &c., a greater change than that of Queen Elizabeth, from a prisoner to a princess; or that of our Henry IV, who was crowned the very same day that the year before he had been banished the realm. The Latins call prosperous things Res secundas, secondary things, because they are to be had hereafter; they are not the first things.

Unto the best place of the house of the women] Or, Unto the best condition. God's best children shall have the best of the best, fat things full of marrow, wines on the lees well refined, Isaiah 25:6. Jacob and his family had the best of the land of Egypt, that granary of the world, as one calleth it. His posterity had a land that flowed with milk and honey. What countries comparable to those that profess the gospel? "Godliness is profitable to all things," having the promises of both lives, &c.