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. And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her the items 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.
Esther 2:8-9
Vashti had been banished from being queen because she refused to come at the kings bidding. Whether she was right or wrong in what she did (maybe she was trying to be the first feminist) I will let you decide, but she should have known better than to infuriate the king. Since Vashti was gone, they began the search for a new queen. Many beautiful young women were put on parade (no it was not a Miss Medo-Persian beauty pageant) and prepared to go before the king.
It seems that they were all put under the watchful eye of one man whose name was Hegai, who was probably a eunuch, who immediately was impressed with Esther. What he could not have possibly known was that the God of Israel was involved in what he saw and what he thought of her. God was preparing Esther to become queen, so the rest of those who were called to be seen by the king might as well have just gone back to doing what they were doing before the “beauty contest.” God had a plan!
Esther had no idea what was ahead for her, she was going and doing at Mordecai’s prompting and he was keeping her in his prayers at all times.
Rest assured, when we do not know what is coming next, God knows and He has all situations well in hand. All that we need to do is follow the Lord’s leading—one step at a time. Amen and amen.
