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.
When it was Esther's turn to go before the king (she was the daughter of Abihail and the niece of Mordecai, who had adopted her as his own daughter), she asked for nothing except what Hegai, the king's official in charge of the women, had suggested. Everyone who saw Esther was impressed with her and liked her.
This verse shows that Esther was humble and wise, trusting her advisor's guidance rather than demanding special treatment, and as a result, everyone who met her was drawn to her.
📚 Historical Context
This takes place during the Persian Empire under King Xerxes (Ahasuerus), when young women from across the kingdom were brought to the palace as potential queens after Queen Vashti was removed. The process involved a year of beauty treatments before each woman had her audience with the king. Esther was a Jewish orphan living in exile, adopted by her older cousin Mordecai.
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