A Queen in Persia

Queen Vashti had been removed.

Overview

Mordecai's orphaned cousin Hadassah, Esther, was taken into the palace. She obtained favour and became queen, keeping her people's identity secret at Mordecai's command.

Going deeper

Quiet providence is placing Esther where she will be needed.

Key verses (KJV)

Esther 2:7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
Esther 2:17 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.

From the commentaries

11. Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house—The harem is an inviolable sanctuary, and what is transacted within its walls is as much a secret to those without as if they were thousands of miles away. But hints were given him through the eunuchs.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory (1871)

Verse 7 He brought up Hadassah - הדשה hadassah signifies a myrtle in Chaldee: this was probably her first or Babylonish name. When she came to the Persian court, she was called Esther, aster, or sitara, which signifies a star in Persian: the name is undoubtedly Persian. Esther was the daughter of Abihail, the uncle of Mordecai, and therefore must have been Mordecai's cousin, though the Vulgate and Josephus make her Mordecai's niece: but it is safest here to follow the Hebrew.
Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke's Commentary (1810-1826)

Application

Where has God placed you?
What 'small' events set up bigger ones?
How do you handle hidden identity at work or school?

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