Esther 2:8
So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
Esther was Hadassah, a fair and beautiful Jewish maiden without father or mother, the daughter of Mordecai's uncle, whom Mordecai brought up as his own daughter. Mordecai was a Jew in Shushan the palace who had been carried away from Jerusalem with Jeconiah king of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. When the king's commandment and his decree was heard, many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the king's house, to the custody of Hegai keeper of the women, and Esther was brought also.
The gathering under the king's commandment and decree was to find a queen. At Mordecai's charge Esther did not show her people nor her kindred. She pleased Hegai and obtained kindness and favor in his sight and in the sight of all that looked upon her. Hegai speedily gave her her things for purification with such things as belonged to her and seven maidens chosen out of the king's house, and preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.
Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house to know how Esther did and what would become of her. Esther was afterward loved by the king above all the women and crowned queen instead of Vashti.