Esther 2:17-19

Christian Standard Bible

¹⁷ The king loved Esther more than all the other women. She won more favor and approval from him than did any of the other virgins. He placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.^{(A) 18} The king held a great banquet for all his officials and staff.^(B) It was Esther’s banquet. He freed his provinces from tax payments and gave gifts worthy of the king’s bounty.^(C)

Mordecai Saves the King

¹⁹ When the virgins^(D) were gathered a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the King’s Gate.^(E)