15 Now Esther was the daughter of Mordekai’s uncle, Abihail, from whom Mordekai had adopted her as his own daughter. When it was her turn to go to the king, she didn’t ask for anything other than what Hegai, the king’s trusted official in charge of the harem, had advised, and everyone who saw Esther liked her. 16 So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus at his royal palace in January, in the seventh year of his reign, 17 and the king loved Esther more than any of the other women. He treated her more kindly and more favourably than any of the other young women who had become his concubines. He put a royal crown on her head and made her the new queen to replace Vashti. 18 Then the king hosted a large celebration and invited all his officials and servants to a feast to celebrate Esther becoming queen. He proclaimed that this would be a time to celebrate for people in all of the provinces of his empire when they wouldn’t have to pay taxes, and he gave many generous gifts.