<p class="bodytext">It so happened that when the king&#8217;s edict and his law became known<n id="1" /> many young women were taken to Susa the citadel to be placed under the authority of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the royal palace<n id="2" /> to be under the authority of Hegai, who was overseeing the women.

<p class="bodytext">When it became the turn of Esther daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai (who had raised her as if she were his own daughter<n id="1" />) to go to the king, she did not request anything except what Hegai the king&#8217;s eunuch, who was overseer of the women, had recommended. Yet Esther met with the approval of all who saw her.