Est 2:8-9 | KingComments | STEP | After the introduction of Mordecai and Esther, history continues with the execution of “the command and decree of the king” ( ). Many girls are gathered to the citadel of Susa. They all come into the custody of Hegai. Among those girls is also Esther. Our attention will be focused on her in this section. She is, like all the other girls, in the citadel of Susa, but it is said of her that she is taken “to the king’s palace”. Esther attracts the special attention of Hegai ( ). She “pleased him and found favor with him”. Where that comes from is not told. He makes an effort, and does so in haste, to give her everything that can make her the king’s ‘favorite’. He gives her cosmetics for her external care and food for her internal care. He also gives her “seven choice maids from the king’s palace” to get her used to the atmosphere of the king’s house, as it were. Together with her girls he transfers “her and her maids to the best place in the harem”, perhaps a kind of porch of the royal palace, with a view of the palace. Everything serves to bring her into the atmosphere of the palace and to prepare her for a stay in the palace with the king. We can see Hegai as a picture of the Holy Spirit, Who continues to prepare the remnant, of which Esther is a picture, so that it can respond to the wishes of the heart of God. The Holy Spirit also does everything He can to bring us, who belong to the Lord Jesus and live in a world hostile to God, into harmony with Him Whose interest is constantly focused on us. The acquisition of favor or grace in the eyes of hostile rulers standing above them is seen in Joseph ( ) and Daniel ( ). With Joseph and Daniel and his friends it is said that it is God Who grants the favor. This is not the case with Esther for the known reason – the absence of the Name of God in this book. However, it is clear that God works this in her case. Another similarity between Esther and Joseph and Daniel (and his friends) is that they are all said to be handsome ( ; ; ). If we are faithful in the circumstances in which we find ourselves, it will be visible in us. Faithful people show something of Christ, which gets the respect of the people around them. Faithful people are ‘handsome in stature’. Their way of life shows characteristics that arouse admiration, even among those who are hostile to them. Our surroundings can try anything to silence us, but they cannot ignore our way of life. It is the intention of the Spirit that “Christ is formed” ( ) in us. When that happens, real beauty will be seen in our lives and everyone will notice it.

‏ Esther 2:8-9

Esther Under the Custody of Hegai

After the introduction of Mordecai and Esther, history continues with the execution of “the command and decree of the king” (Est 2:8). Many girls are gathered to the citadel of Susa. They all come into the custody of Hegai. Among those girls is also Esther. Our attention will be focused on her in this section. She is, like all the other girls, in the citadel of Susa, but it is said of her that she is taken “to the king’s palace”.

Esther attracts the special attention of Hegai (Est 2:9). She “pleased him and found favor with him”. Where that comes from is not told. He makes an effort, and does so in haste, to give her everything that can make her the king’s ‘favorite’. He gives her cosmetics for her external care and food for her internal care.

He also gives her “seven choice maids from the king’s palace” to get her used to the atmosphere of the king’s house, as it were. Together with her girls he transfers “her and her maids to the best place in the harem”, perhaps a kind of porch of the royal palace, with a view of the palace. Everything serves to bring her into the atmosphere of the palace and to prepare her for a stay in the palace with the king.

We can see Hegai as a picture of the Holy Spirit, Who continues to prepare the remnant, of which Esther is a picture, so that it can respond to the wishes of the heart of God. The Holy Spirit also does everything He can to bring us, who belong to the Lord Jesus and live in a world hostile to God, into harmony with Him Whose interest is constantly focused on us.

The acquisition of favor or grace in the eyes of hostile rulers standing above them is seen in Joseph (Gen 39:2 ; 21) and Daniel (Dan 1:9). With Joseph and Daniel and his friends it is said that it is God Who grants the favor. This is not the case with Esther for the known reason – the absence of the Name of God in this book. However, it is clear that God works this in her case. Another similarity between Esther and Joseph and Daniel (and his friends) is that they are all said to be handsome (Est 2:7; Gen 39:6; Dan 1:4 ; 15).

If we are faithful in the circumstances in which we find ourselves, it will be visible in us. Faithful people show something of Christ, which gets the respect of the people around them. Faithful people are ‘handsome in stature’. Their way of life shows characteristics that arouse admiration, even among those who are hostile to them. Our surroundings can try anything to silence us, but they cannot ignore our way of life. It is the intention of the Spirit that “Christ is formed” (Gal 4:19) in us. When that happens, real beauty will be seen in our lives and everyone will notice it.