Esther 2:5
Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;
Mordecai was a Jew living in Shushan the palace. He had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity of Jeconiah king of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. He brought up Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle's daughter, taking her for his own daughter when her father and mother were dead, for she was an orphan maiden who was fair and beautiful. He charged her not to show her people nor her kindred, and she did his command just as when she was brought up by him, keeping her identity hidden.
After Esther was brought to the king's house to the custody of Hegai the keeper of the women, she obtained kindness from Hegai and favor in the sight of all who looked upon her. She was given purification gifts, seven maidens, and the best place, while Mordecai walked daily before the court of the women to learn how she was doing. The king loved her above all the women and she obtained grace and favor above all the virgins, so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. He then made a great feast called Esther's feast, with a release to the provinces and gifts.