\\INTRODUCTION TO ESTHER 2\\

By the advice of the ministers of King Ahasuerus, fair virgins were
sought for throughout his dominions, and brought to his chamberlain,
the keeper of the women, among whom was Esther, a Jewish virgin,
\\#Es 2:1-8\\, who found favour with the chamberlain, and afterwards
with the king, who made her queen instead of Vashti, and a feast on
that account, \\#Es 2:9-18\\. Mordecai, to whom Esther was related,
and according to whose advice she acted, sitting in the king's gate,
discovered a conspiracy against the king, which he now made known to
Esther, \\#Es 2:19-23\\.