Esther 2:17-19

Expanded Bible

¹⁷ And the king ·was pleased with [loved] Esther more than with any of the other ·virgins [young women]. He liked her more than any of the ·others [other virgins], so he put a royal crown on her head and ·made [proclaimed; declared] her queen in place of Vashti. ¹⁸ Then the king gave a great banquet for Esther and invited all his ·important men [nobles; officials] and ·royal officers [ministers; servants]. He announced a holiday for all the ·empire [^Lprovinces] and ·had the government give away gifts [gave gifts with royal liberality/generosity].

Mordecai Discovers an Evil Plan

¹⁹ Now Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate [^Can indication he was likely a government official] when the girls were ·gathered the second time [or transferred to the second harem; or gathered again].