Esther Chapter 2 - Flashcards Study Guide

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Questions and Answers

What suggestion did the king's personal attendants make for finding a queen to replace Vashti?

A competition among noblewomen

Only the richest girls be chosen

A search be made for beautiful virgins (correct)

The king select a girl from his family

Xerxes did not follow the advice of his personal attendants for finding a new queen.

False

How were the beautiful girls of the kingdom found?

Appointed commissioners in every province brought the girls to Susa.

Where in Susa were the beautiful girls brought?

Into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Signup and view all the answers

Under whose care were the girls placed in Susa?

Hegai, the king's eunuch in charge of the women in his harem. Signup and view all the answers

What was done to enhance the beauty of the girls brought to Susa?

Beauty treatments were given to them. Signup and view all the answers

How is Mordecai introduced in the book of Esther?

As a Jew in the citadel of Susa. Signup and view all the answers

Of what tribe of Israel was Mordecai a member?

Benjamin. Signup and view all the answers

How did Mordecai come to live in Persia?

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had carried him into exile from Jerusalem. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the cousin of Mordecai?

A girl named Hadassah. Signup and view all the answers

What had been the relationship of Mordecai and Hadassah as she grew up?

He had brought her up as his own daughter because her father and mother had died. Signup and view all the answers

What was the other name of Hadassah?

Esther. Signup and view all the answers

How is Esther described physically?

She was 'lovely in form and features.' Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Esther during the time the beautiful girls were being brought to Susa?

She was also taken to the king's palace and entrusted to Hegai. Signup and view all the answers

What impression did Esther make on Hegai?

She pleased him and won his favor. Signup and view all the answers

What favors did Hegai show for Esther?

Beauty treatments; special food; he assigned to her 7 maids selected from the king's palace; he moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem. Signup and view all the answers

What did Esther not reveal as she was taken to the palace of Xerxes?

Her nationality and family background. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Esther not reveal her nationality and family background?

Mordecai had forbidden her to do so. Signup and view all the answers

How did Mordecai stay aware of how Esther was doing in the king's palace?

Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how she was and what was happening to her. Signup and view all the answers

What did a girl have to do before she went in to King Xerxes?

She had to complete 12 months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women. Signup and view all the answers

What was the nature of the beauty treatments given to the girls in Susa?

6 months of treatments with oil of myrrh; 6 months of treatments with perfumes and cosmetics. Signup and view all the answers

What was given to a girl when she would go from the harem to the king's palace?

Anything she wanted. Signup and view all the answers

Who had been the father of Esther?

Abihail. Signup and view all the answers

What is said of Esther's popularity before she went in to the king?

She won the favor of everyone who saw her. Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the king's review of the beautiful girls?

She won his favor and approval more than any other. Signup and view all the answers

What position was given to Esther by the king?

She was made queen in place of Vashti. Signup and view all the answers

What physical object was given to Esther as a symbol of her position as queen?

The king set a royal crown on her head. Signup and view all the answers

What did the king do to celebrate finding his new queen?

He distributed gifts with royal liberality. Signup and view all the answers

What was the relationship of Esther and Mordecai after she was made queen?

She continued to follow Mordecai's instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up. Signup and view all the answers

Where was Mordecai when he learned of a conspiracy against King Xerxes' life?

Sitting at the king's gate. Signup and view all the answers

Who conspired to assassinate King Xerxes?

Two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the two officers of Xerxes who conspired against him?

Bigthana and Teresh. Signup and view all the answers

Whom did Mordecai tell of the plot against Xerxes' life?

Queen Esther. Signup and view all the answers

What did Esther do when Mordecai told her of the plot?

She reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. Signup and view all the answers

What did Xerxes do when he learned of the plot against his life?

The report was investigated and found to be true, and the two officials were put to death. Signup and view all the answers

How were the two officials who plotted against Xerxes' life killed?

They were hanged on a gallows. Signup and view all the answers

Where were the events concerning the conspiracy against Xerxes recorded?

All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Finding a New Queen

King Xerxes sought a new queen after Vashti's dismissal, prompted by his personal attendants.
A search was initiated for beautiful virgins; the one who pleased the king would be chosen as queen.
Commissioners were appointed across provinces to gather eligible girls to Susa.

Esther’s Background

Mordecai, a Jew living in Susa, is introduced; he belonged to the tribe of Benjamin.
He was taken to Persia in exile by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.
Mordecai raised his cousin Hadassah (Esther) as his daughter after her parents died.

Esther’s Attributes

Esther is described as "lovely in form and features," highlighting her beauty.
She was taken to the king's palace and placed under the care of Hegai, the king's eunuch.
Hegai favored Esther and provided her with special treatments, food, and maidservants.

The Royal Transition

Esther kept her Jewish identity and family background secret per Mordecai's instruction.
Daily, Mordecai monitored Esther's well-being from outside the harem courtyard.
Girls underwent extensive beauty treatments lasting one year before meeting the king.

Esther Becomes Queen

After extensive treatments, Esther won the king's favor, outshining all others.
King Xerxes crowned her queen, replacing Vashti, and celebrated her appointment with a grand banquet.
He proclaimed a holiday across his provinces and distributed royal gifts.

Mordecai and the Conspiracy

Mordecai overheard a conspiracy against King Xerxes while sitting at the king's gate.
Two officers, Bigthana and Teresh, plotted to assassinate the king.
Mordecai informed Esther, who reported the conspiracy to the king, crediting Mordecai for the information.

Aftermath of the Plot

The plot was investigated and proved true, leading to the execution of the conspirators.
They were hanged on gallows, with the account recorded in the king's annals.

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Description

This study guide focuses on key events and decisions made in Chapter 2 of the Book of Esther. Through a series of flashcards, you will explore the suggestions made to King Xerxes regarding his search for a new queen after Vashti. Ideal for students looking to reinforce their understanding of this biblical narrative.