Esther 2:12 — Meaning and Application

Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew {it}.

And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. {to know...: Heb. to know the peace}

Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, {to wit}, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with {other} things for the purifying of the women;)

Then thus came {every} maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house.

In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.