In the evening she would go in, and in the morning she would return to the second harem in custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch, who was in charge of the concubines. She would not go in to the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.
Each young woman spent one night with King Ahasuerus, then moved to a second house under a different keeper. She was never called back unless the king asked for her by name. Behind that cold system lies the question this whole book raises: where is God when His name is never mentioned?
The Persian court as it was
One writer reads the scene as an accurate window into the morals of the Persian throne:
Arno Clemens GaebeleinThe description of verses 12-14 is a perfect picture of Persian customs and of the immoral lives of Persian and other Eastern rulers.
Scripture leaves the details out, and one writer is content to leave the gaps open:
Leslie M. GrantWhat was involved in the interview we are not told… We might ask, where did she sleep? — but we have no answer.
Twelve months of artificial improvement
Before any woman reached this night, she had spent a year in beauty treatments. That long programme draws a comment about what the world believes it can do with a face:
Leslie M. GrantAll of the women applicants were given 12 months of preparation! (v. 12). So the unbelieving world thinks artificial means can improve on the beauty of those God has created. Very likely the king would have been just as impressed with Esther without this long delay. Hegai had given her the best place among the women right from the start.
No debtor to man
One writer traces her rise to the Lord rather than to anything she brought:
The Christian's FriendIn due course, without any effort or desire on her part, she becomes the favourite wife of the Persian king. More than that, she had already decided, like Daniel, to keep her separation to God from the customs of the people, even in the court of a king who was not a Jew. (Esther 2:15.) She will be no debtor to man. It is the Lord, and not ornaments, that gives her favour in the eyes of all who see her; the king himself is won, and the royal crown is put on her head.
The same writer contrasts her with the other women:
Arno Clemens GaebeleinThe other women could not find enough artificial means to impress the king. But Esther cared nothing about these things. She had no such ambitious desires… She was compelled to be there, while no doubt in her heart she detested the whole affair.
Delighted in, and summoned by name
Everything hangs on whether the king wanted a woman again. Esther is the one he wanted, and she came to him with her nation hidden:
H. L. RossierDid she have advantages that set her apart from all her companions? Her origin would certainly have ruled her out from the start, and Mordecai, aware of his people's humiliation, knew that well. So Esther is a hidden wife, but her grace and her beauty attract the sympathy and love of all. She pleased Hegai, the keeper of the women, and found favour with him, and with all who saw her. She pleases the king "above all the women." Still keeping her secret, she is lifted up to the dignity of queen of the nations, in place of Vashti.
The conduct of Esther and Mordecai
Commentators differ here. One presses the moral problem while still tracing God's hand:
Leslie M. GrantIn fact, we may rightly question whether a Jewish woman should think of marrying a Persian, king or not. We may also question whether Mordecai should encourage such a union. But the Jews were in such a state that they had all but forgotten what suited Jewish character… God was concerned about the Jews too, though He could not associate His name with them at the time.
Another declines to pass sentence at all:
William KellyWhatever may be thought of Mordecai or of Esther in this matter, Scripture is silent here. It neither accuses nor excuses. We have not long to wait before the vital question is raised: the Jews must perish, or be delivered beyond all outward hope, yet without sign, wonder, or miracle.
The unnamed God behind the harem door
No miracle rescues anyone here. One writer sees this whole book as the clearest case of God working unseen:
William KellyPerhaps there is no more remarkable display of the great truth of divine providence in the Bible… The main object is to show His hand working in secret, where His name could not rightly be proclaimed. Far from being a fault, this is one of the most strengthening thoughts we have. We deal with a similar secret providence every day.
Summary
- Hidden: Esther enters the king's house with her nation concealed and rises "in her still secret character." The hidden girl matches the hidden God of this book.
- Custom: the verse records Persian court practice, not God's approval. One writer calls it a picture of the immoral lives of such rulers.
- Preparation: a year of beauty treatments shows what the world thinks it can add. Hegai had already given Esther the best place on day one.
- Favour: "It is the Lord, and not ornaments, that gives her favour." She alone is the one the king delights in and calls by name.
- Providence: no sign, wonder, or miracle appears here. God's hidden hand is the only power at work, and we meet the same hidden hand every day.