Bible Strands
Esther 2:4
Then let the young woman who pleases the king become queen in place of Vashti.” This suggestion pleased the king, and he acted accordingly.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The king’s advisors address the monarch after Vashti’s deposition, proposing a provincial search for a new queen. The king receives the proposal and immediately implements it.
The words — תִּיטַב (ti.Tav) literally means “she will be good” or “please,” describing the woman’s desirability to the king. תִּמְלֹךְ (tim.Lokh) translates as “she will reign,” indicating her official elevation to the throne.
The thread — The motif of pleasing a ruler appears in Matthew 14:6, where a dance secures favor, and 2 Samuel 17:4, where a strategic proposal wins royal approval. The reversal of status echoes Matthew 20:16, contrasting human preference with divine ordering.
Why it lands — The text records a political decree executed without hesitation, demonstrating how royal succession relies on institutional processes rather than personal merit. It asks the reader to observe the mechanics of power and the swift compliance of authority.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
Cross-references
- Matthew 14:6 On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod
- Matthew 20:16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
- 2 Samuel 17:4 This proposal seemed good to Absalom and all the elders of Israel.
- Esther 1:21 The king and his princes were pleased with this counsel; so the king did as Memucan advised.
- Esther 3:9 If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.”
- Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”
- 2 Samuel 13:4 and he asked Amnon, “Why are you, the son of the king, so depressed morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon replied, “I am in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”
- 2 Samuel 16:21 Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.”