Esther 2:17-19

GOD’S WORD Translation

¹⁷ Now, the king loved Esther more than all the other women and favored her over all the other virgins. So he put the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. ¹⁸ Then the king held a great banquet for Esther. He invited all his officials and his advisers. He also declared that day a holiday in the provinces, and he handed out gifts from his royal generosity.

Mordecai Saves the King’s Life

¹⁹ When the virgins were gathered a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.