Having dispatched Vashti a new queen was needed, so a beauty contest was to be held. In fact it seems like this was a forerunner of the X-Factor. The potential winners would be looked after and given various beauty treatments, then the winner would be chosen.
Esther was one of the Jews who had been taken into exile and she had lost both her parents. So she was looked after by her cousin Mordecai.
Hegai, the chief Eunuch gave special treatment to Esther. The preparation time was twelve months, with various beauty treatments being applied.
Esther won the contest and was the king's favourite. Esther was to be queen for about six years. It is not clear what happened after that, she may have died or fallen from favour, but during that period she was to fulfil a vital function.
Then we get another incident that was to prove vital. Mordecai became aware of a plot to kill the king. Since Esther was now queen he was able to inform the king through Esther, and this was noted in the official records.
So we see the unusual ways in which God works.
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