14. In the evening she would go in, and the next morning she would return to the second women’s house under the care of Shaashgaz. He was the king’s eunuch in charge of the secondary wives. She would never go to the king again unless she was called by name.
15. The time came for Esther daughter of Aminadab, Mordecai’s uncle, to go to the king. She didn’t refuse anything that Hegai, the king’s eunuch in charge of the women, told her to take along. Esther kept winning the favor of everyone who saw her.
16. Esther went in to see King Artaxerxes in the twelfth month, the month of Adar, in the seventh year of his rule.
17. The king fell in love with Esther, and she gained more favor than all the other young women. He placed the royal crown on her head.
18. The king sponsored a wine festival for all his political advisors and important officials for seven days. He celebrated Esther’s wedding ceremony and canceled debts for many under his rule.
19. Meanwhile, Mordecai was working for the king in the court.
20. Esther still wasn’t telling anyone her family background and race. As Mordecai had ordered her, she continued to worship God and obey God’s commands just as when she was in his care. Esther didn’t change the way she lived.
21. But two eunuchs, the king’s two main bodyguards, became very upset because Mordecai was promoted. They secretly planned to kill King Artaxerxes.
22. When Mordecai got wind of it, he reported it to Esther, who spoke to the king about the plan.
23. The king questioned the two men and hanged them. Then the king ordered a record of the event to be placed in the royal archive to remember Mordecai’s loyalty.