King Ahasuerus ruled one hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Cush. In the third year of his reign, he gave a feast at Susa for officials, military leaders, nobles, and provincial rulers. For many days he displayed the wealth and splendor of his kingdom.
Afterward he gave a seven-day feast in the palace garden for everyone in Susa. The garden was decorated with cloths, silver rings, and marble pillars. Wine was served in gold cups of different designs. Queen Vashti held a separate feast for the women of the royal house.
On the seventh day, when the king was merry with wine, he ordered his eunuchs to bring Vashti before him wearing her royal crown, so that he could display her beauty. Vashti refused the order. The king became angry and consulted the advisers who knew the laws and times.
Memucan said that Vashti’s act would encourage wives throughout the empire to despise their husbands. He advised that she never again be allowed before the king and that her royal position be given to someone better. The king and his officials approved, and a decree was sent throughout the provinces.
After the king’s anger had cooled, his attendants suggested gathering beautiful young women for him. They were to be placed under the care of the eunuch Hegai in Susa, and the woman who pleased the king would become queen in Vashti’s place. The king approved.
A Jewish man named Mordecai lived in Susa. He had been carried away from Jerusalem among the exiles. He was caring for his cousin Hadassah, also called Esther, because she had no father or mother. He had raised her as his own daughter.
When the king’s order became known, Esther too was taken to the palace. She pleased Hegai, who quickly gave her beauty treatments, food, seven chosen attendants, and the best place in the women’s quarters. Mordecai had instructed Esther not to reveal her people or family, and she obeyed him.
Each young woman completed twelve months of beauty treatments before going to the king. When Esther’s turn came, she asked for nothing beyond what Hegai advised. Everyone who saw her favored her. The king loved Esther more than all the other women, placed the royal crown on her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
The king held a great feast for Esther, proclaimed a holiday in the provinces, and gave gifts. Later Mordecai, sitting at the king’s gate, learned that two eunuchs planned to harm the king. He told Esther, and she reported it to the king in Mordecai’s name. The matter was investigated, the men were hanged, and the event was recorded in the king’s chronicles.