The Making Of Queen EstherSample

The way the search for a wife had been set up, each woman would have twelve months of preparation before her time with the king. At the end of those twelve months, she would get one night to make a lasting impression. She was also allowed to bring with her anything she wanted to help make that night more memorable. What’s more, it’s likely she got to keep the things she brought with her, when the night was over. Some may have considered it an opportunity to get something for themselves out of the deal. We read,

When the young woman would go to the king, she was given whatever she requested to take with her from the harem to the palace. She would go in the evening, and in the morning she would return to a second harem under the supervision of the king’s eunuch Shaashgaz, keeper of the concubines. She never went to the king again, unless he desired her and summoned her by name. (Esther 2:13-14)

The women were given anything they desired from the palace. The transition would occur from the first harem where each woman was a virgin. Then they would spend a night with the king and afterwards be placed in the second harem, where each woman was no longer a virgin. This can also be known as a concubine. Each woman could be summoned again from the second harem, but only if the king asked for her by name.

As you might imagine, a night with the king wasn’t a night playing Scrabble. It was a night of sex, outside of the confines of marriage. Which brings up an interesting point. Adultery and fornication were prohibited in God’s Law. In addition, Jews were prohibited from marrying pagans (Deuteronomy 7:1-4). And yet here was Esther providentially positioned to do just that. And while God’s name does not appear anywhere in the book, He is still the puppet master working things out behind the scenes. So, you’ve got this happening outside of God’s ideal, prescribed ways, and yet it is still happening. Which is a reminder that we can never box God into our way of thinking. His providence allows, or causes, the good, the bad and the ugly to work together toward His intended aim.