Esther 2:18-20

Expanded Bible

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]. ²⁰ Esther still had not told anyone about ·who her people were [her kindred/lineage] or her ·family [people; nationality], just as Mordecai had ·commanded [instructed] her. She ·obeyed Mordecai [followed Mordecai’s instructions] just as she had done when ·she was under his care [he was raising her].