“After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.”
By the seven wise men of his counsel. That is, he called the matter again into communication.
“And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: unto the: Heb. unto the hand Hege: or, Hegai”
Read what this purification was, verse 12. The abuse of these countries was so great, that they invented many means to serve the lusts of Princes, and therefore as they ordained wicked laws, that the king might have whose daughters he would, so they had divers houses appointed, as one for them while they were virgins, another when they were concubines and for the Queens another.
“Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. Jeconiah: or, Jehoiachin”
Cross references: : 2 Kings 14:15
“And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. to know: Heb. to know the peace”
For though she was taken away by a cruel law, yet he ceased not to have a fatherly care over her, and therefore did resort ofttimes to hear of her.
“Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house.”
What apparel she asked of the eunuch, that was he bound to give her.
“Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.”
Wherein her modesty appeared, because she sought not apparel to commend her beauty, but stood to the Eunuch’s appointment. Or, Hegai.
“So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.”
Which contained part of December and part of January.
“Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king. release: Heb. rest”
That is, great and magnificent. That is, made for her sake. He released their tribute.
“And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.”
That is, at the marriage of Esther, which was the second marriage of the king.
“And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name.”
In the Chronicles of the Medes and Persians, as Esther 10:2 .