Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.
Esther 2:17
Esther 2:17 is a verse from the Old Testament book of Esther, which tells the story of a young Jewish woman named Esther who becomes queen of Persia and saves her people from genocide. This verse specifically describes the moment when Esther is chosen by King Xerxes to be his queen.
At first glance, this verse might seem like a simple statement of fact: Esther was chosen by the king and made queen. However, there is much more going on beneath the surface.
First of all, it is important to understand the context of Esther’s story. She is a Jewish woman living in Persia, a land ruled by a pagan king who has banished his previous queen, Vashti, for disobeying him. Esther is chosen to be Vashti’s replacement, but she must hide her Jewish identity from the king and his court.
In this light, Esther 2:17 takes on added significance. It tells us that the king not only chose Esther, but he also loved her more than any of the other women he had considered. This implies that Esther was not just another pretty face; she had qualities that set her apart from the rest, qualities that the king found irresistible.
Furthermore, the fact that Esther “obtained grace and favor in [the king’s] sight” suggests that she was not just chosen for her beauty, but also for her character. Perhaps she was kind, wise, or brave; qualities that would have endeared her to the king even more.
Finally, the fact that Esther was made queen “instead of Vashti” is significant. Vashti’s disobedience had led to her downfall, but Esther’s obedience and grace had led to her elevation. This is a powerful message about the importance of character and obedience in achieving success, even in difficult circumstances.
In conclusion, Esther 2:17 is a key verse in the story of Esther. It tells us that Esther was not just a pretty face, but a woman of character and grace who won the love of a powerful king and rose to become queen. It is a reminder that true success comes not just from external beauty or talent, but from inner qualities such as obedience, kindness, and wisdom.
