Scripture Notes: Esther’s Plight (Esther 2)

The young Jewish woman Esther finds herself in quite a fix...and not through any fault of hers. The king has put Queen Vashti aside in disgrace, and Esther enters the palace harem with many other young women to compete for the title of queen. She does not want this; it happens against her will. She has no choice but to obey the royal order or face the consequences for herself and her family.

Esther has already known hardship. She is part of a people in exile in a foreign land, and while she has never seen Judea or Jerusalem, she has heard stories from her adopted father, Mordecai, who is actually her cousin. Esther lost both her parents when she was very young.

Now Esther is trapped within the king’s court, essentially a prisoner. The eunuch in charge of the women decides, though, that he likes this girl, and he gives her a favored position, rich cosmetics, good food, and maids to serve her. Her physical needs are met, but emotionally, Esther must be suffering. For she knows what is going to happen. Each maiden takes a turn going in to the king, and she does not come back. Instead, she goes to a second harem. This visit with the king is not an interview. The king is not just looking at the girls and judging their beauty and demeanor. Rather, he violates them sexually, thinking he has the right.

Esther likely understands this full well. But there is nothing she can do. When the king calls her, she will lose her virginity. It has to prey on her mind as she waits. Finally, her turn comes. She goes in. She experiences the horror. But the king decides he wants Esther for his queen. Again, there is nothing she can do but go along and bow as he places the crown on her head. 

What Esther does not know, however, is that God is allowing this for a reason. He is putting her in position to be able to save her people from certain death. What she goes through is not pleasant, and she suffers. Yet without Esther as queen, right where she needs to be to intercede with the king who favors her, all the Jews would die in a single day. God has His reasons, and Esther obeys and offers herself up to His plan.