12 Now
when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had
been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days
of their purifications accomplished, to
wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and
with other things for the purifying
of the women;) 13 Then
thus came every maiden unto the
king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of
the women unto the king's house. 14 In the
evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the
women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the
concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in
her, and that she were called by name. Esther 2:12-14
This portion of scripture
explains the process by which a new queen would be named. The women would spend
a total of twelve months in preparation.
Each woman would spend one night with the king. After the
king’s desire was fulfilled, the woman would return to the custody of the king’s
chamberlain in the “second” house. They were not allowed to go back to the original
place. Adam Clark says, “This was the place where the king’s concubines were
kept. They went out no more, and were never given in marriage to any man, and
saw the king’s face no more unless specially called.”
What a sad life these women faced if they were not chosen
to be queen. Basically, if not chosen, most would live an isolated life.
Join me the next time to meet the new queen.
Donna
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