Esther
1
Ahasuerus got drunk and commanded his 7 eunuchs to bring Queen Vashti to show her beauty before the peoples and princes. She refused, and the wise men advised the king to send out a royal order that Vashti should never be allowed in his presence again, that her position should be given to a better woman, and that all women will give honor to their husbands. The king did as Memucan proposed, sending letters to all 127 provinces.
In the third year of his reign, King Ahasuerus showed the riches of his glory before the officials, servants, Persian and Median armies, nobles, and provincial governors for 180 days then held a feast in the court of the garden for all the people in Susa for 7 days. Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women in the palace.
On the seventh day, he ordered by 7 eunuchs for Vashti to show the people her beauty, but she refused. He asked his wise men her punishment, and Memucan said Vashti did wrong against all the peoples of all his provinces and all women will look at their husbands with contempt and that a royal order should be written among the Persian and Median laws that Vashti is never again to come before the King and her position be given to someone better. All women will give honor to their husbands. The king was pleased and sent letters to every province in its own script and language that every man be master in his own household.
2
Ahasuerus sought a replacement for Vashti by having officers gather all the beautiful young virgins to the harem in Susa under Hegai and be beautified for 12 months and brought before him. Esther, Mordecai's ward, was taken and quickly won Hegai's favor. Mordecai kept tabs on her daily. Esther was brought to the king and became his favorite. He set Vashti's crown on her head, threw Esther's feast for all officials and servants, and granted a remission of taxes. Mordecai learned of Bigthan and Teresh's plot, Esther told the king with credit to Mordecai, and the men were hanged with Mordecai's deed was recorded in the book of the chronicles in the king's presence.
The king called for officers in all the provinces to gather beautiful young virgins to the Susa harem under Hegai's custody, so that he may choose the most pleasing queen. Mordecai ended up in Susa (after Nebuchadnezzar carried him away from Jerusalem), raising his orphaned cousin Esther as his daughter. Esther was taken and won Hegai's favor and the best place in the harem, concealing her Jewish heritage. Mordecai visited the area in front of the court of the harem daily to learn how she was doing.
After the year-long beauty regimen, Esther took minimal items with her and was loved the most by the king. The king put the crown on her head, held Esther's feast, and granted a remission of taxes to the provinces and generous gifts.
Mordecai noticed the king's gate guards Bigthan and Teresh wanted to lay hands on Ahasuerus, so he told Esther who told the king in Mordecai's name, and the affair was investigated, men hanged, and the event was recorded in the presence of the king.