Esther 2:8-14

8After the king’s order and decree became known, many young women were assembled in the palace of Shushan under the supervision of Hegai. Esther also was taken into the king’s household under the supervision of Hegai, guardian of the women.

9This young woman pleased him and found favor with him. He quickly arranged her beauty treatments and provided her special food. He also provided her with seven specially chosen young women from the king’s household. Then he moved her and her maids to the best place in the women’s house.

10Esther had not disclosed her people or her lineage, because Mordecai had commanded her not to make them known.

11Every day Mordecai walked in front of the women’s courtyard to find out how Esther was, and what might happen to her.

12When each young woman’s turn came to go to King Ahasuerus at the end of 12 months as prescribed for the women—for in this way they fulfilled their beautification: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with perfumes and women’s cosmetics—

13the young woman would go to the king in this way: whatever she asked for was given to her to take with her from the women’s house to the king’s palace.

14In the evening she would go, and in the morning she would return to the second women’s home under the supervision of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch, guardian of the concubines. She would not go back to the king unless the king was pleased with her, and summoned her by name.