13then in this wise came the maiden to the king: whatever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women to the king`s house.
14In the evening she went, and on the next day she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king`s chamberlain, who kept the concubines: she came in to the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and she were called by name.
15Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king`s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. Esther obtained favor in the sight of all those who looked at her.
16So Esther was taken to king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17The king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained favor and kindness in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown on her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
18Then the king made a great feast to all his princes and his servants, even Esther`s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the bounty of the king.
19When the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai was sitting in the king`s gate.
