Esther 2:8-20

(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. (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. (10) Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. (11) And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. (12) Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;) (13) Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house. (14) In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name. (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. (16) So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. (17) And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. (18) Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king. (19) And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate. (20) Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.

I do not think it necessary to interrupt the progress of this history through these verses with any remarks. The relation given of the events is in a beautiful style of simplicity. Esther is represented in a most amiable light, and with a mind, suited as it should seem, for any nation. We may and we ought indeed, to observe, in the wonderful transition of circumstances, from the condition of a poor Jewish orphan, apparently friendless, and unconnected with any that seemed likely to promote her advance in the world to that of the throne of Persia, what great events the LORD in his providence is pleased to accomplish, and it should direct our minds to look up, and contemplate a divine hand in every event. But Reader! I can tell you of a still more marvellous instance of Almighty power, namely, when a poor friendless sinner is taken from the prison and the tyranny of Satan, and regenerated by the HOLY GHOST, betrothed to JESUS, and made a child of GOD by adoption and by grace.