God's Chosen Star

In Esther 2: 5-7 we go away from the king and his plans and are introduced to Esther's cousin, Mordecai.


Mordecai was from the tribe of Benjamin. He took Esther under his wing and raised her when her parents both died. When the Jews were allowed to return to Israel after their captivity, Mordecai decided to stay in Persia along with some of the other Jews. Many of the Jews prospered in the land of their captors. As we continue in the book of Esther we will see how God uses Mordecai along with Esther to save the Jewish people.

Now verses 8-9 bring us back to the king and his plan to find a new queen. Here we have young women placed under the care of Hegai who was the eunuch in charge of the king's harem. Scripture does not tell us how many women there were, but the Jewish historian Josephus says there were 400 (Josephus. Antiquities of the Jews, book 11 ch.6, Para.2, p.238).
Out of these 400 women notice how Esther was singled out, she pleased the Eunuch Hegai and obtained his favor. We can ask why Esther caught the eye of Hegai - Esther was a young woman of strong character. She was a young woman who had kept herself morally pure and a woman of grace and humility. Because of her lovely spirit as well as her striking beauty, Hegai gave her special attention and care. You can clearly see God working behind the scenes here - imagine 400 women and Esther catches the eye of Hegai.

Esther's Persian name means "star" and her Hebrew name Hadassah means "myrtle". (It's interesting that the myrtle tree bears a flower that looks like a star.) —Bible Exposition Commentary OT. Esther becomes the star of this story as she is used by God to save the Jewish people. Notice here as God's chosen star, Esther catches the eye of Hegai and receives special treatment. Verse nine shows us that she was given additional beauty treatments, choice food, seven maids, and the best room in the harem.