Esther: Silent but Sovereignনমুনা

The second gathering of the virgins (v. 19) suggests that the king’s officials continued to gather beautiful girls for the harem. This is unsurprising. It’s unlikely that King Xerxes would have embraced a restrained life of monogamy, releasing hundreds of beautiful women from his court, just because he had found his next queen in Esther. He quickly dismissed his previous queen, Vashti, because of her failure to comply with his irrational wishes, and he was predisposed towards hedonistic living. Why would that stop now, just because he had found his next queen? He was in party mode again, banqueting and holidaying with extravagance. 

After Esther’s coronation, Mordecai secured a job as a palace official at the king’s gate (v. 19). In the ancient Middle East, the king’s gate was the equivalent of our law courts, a place where important business was carried out. Perhaps Esther had used her influence as the new queen to secure that position for her cousin. Mordecai was now in the perfect place to uncover an assassination plot against Xerxes and report it to Esther so that she could warn the king (vv. 21–22). 

Here we see God’s hand at work in ensuring that Mordecai would be in just the right place, at just the right time, ready to uncover the conspiracy against the king. Years later this event would be significant in the saving of God’s people, the Jews. 

We’re not told why Bigthana and Teresh became angry with Xerxes. Perhaps they liked Queen Vashti and didn’t want to see her replaced. Perhaps it was because he chose to marry Esther, an outsider of the court, rather than a daughter of one of the seven noble families of the kingdom, as was customary. Perhaps they resented having being made eunuchs when everyone else was partying. It could have been over something very minor but we’re not told why. 

Mordecai could have chosen to ignore the conspiracy to assassinate the king. Xerxes was self-serving and unpredictable. Esther was living in the palace as his queen, still hiding her nationality. Mordecai could have wondered if he and Esther would be safer with King Xerxes out of the way. But he made the decision to warn Xerxes, showing grace when he had the opportunity. 

Esther’s grace and humility were also evident in the way she gave credit for uncovering the plot to Mordecai. She could have taken credit herself, further securing her favor with the king, but she credited Mordecai and his name was recorded in the official historical chronicles as the one who saved the king’s life (v. 23). This was to be significant in the days to come. Mordecai received no immediate reward or recognition for saving the king, but God was invisibly working to accomplish His purposes.

Reflection

God is always active. Even in seemingly insignificant events, His hand is working to achieve His perfect plans.