Esther 2:19

19 When the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mor'decai was sitting at the king's gate.

Esther 2:19 Meaning and Commentary

Esther 2:19

And when the virgins were gathered together the second time,
&c.] Some think this second collection is that which was made when Esther was taken and brought to the keeper of the women, called the second, in reference to a former collection of them, made when Vashti was taken and made queen; but as there is no proof of any such collection then made, rather the case was this, such was the lust of the king, though he had a queen he loved, and a multitude of concubine's, yet a second collection of virgins was made for his gratification:

then Mordecai sat in the king's gate;
or court, being an officer in it, promoted by the interest of Esther, though not as yet known to be a relation of her's: so (yura) in Xenophon ^F26 is used of the court of the king of Persia, as the Ottoman or Turkish court is now called the "Porte".

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 Cyropaedia, l. 8. c. 2, 5, 11, 40.

Esther 2:19 In-Context

17 the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.

18 Then the king gave a great banquet to all his princes and servants; it was Esther's banquet. He also granted a remission of taxes to the provinces, and gave gifts with royal liberality.

19 When the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mor'decai was sitting at the king's gate.

20 Now Esther had not made known her kindred or her people, as Mor'decai had charged her; for Esther obeyed Mor'decai just as when she was brought up by him.

21 And in those days, as Mor'decai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasu-e'rus.