Esther 2:17-19

International Standard Version

¹⁷ The king loved Esther more than any of the other women, so he favored her and was kinder to her than he was to any of the other virgins. He put the royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti. ¹⁸ The king put on a great banquet for all his officials and ministers^[a] to honor Esther. He declared a holiday for the provinces and gave generous gifts.^[b]

Mordecai Thwarts a Plot to Kill Ahasuerus

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