And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than all the other young women. So he placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.
This verse shows that Esther found special favor with the king, who chose her above all others to be his new queen.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Esther, set during the Persian Empire under King Ahasuerus, the king had previously deposed Queen Vashti for refusing his command, creating a need for a new queen. A beauty contest was held among young women from across the empire, and Esther, a Jewish woman raised by her cousin Mordecai, was chosen for her beauty and character. This event highlights the cultural practice of royal selection in ancient Persia and sets the stage for Esther's role in protecting her people from a planned genocide.
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