Before we close this Chapter, we must briefly notice some events of deep interest and importance to the Jews, which took place in Persia, during the days of Nehemiah. In the third year of the reign of Ahasuerus, King of Persia, the whole Nation of the Jews were in great danger of being destroyed through the wicked misrepresentations of a haughty and imperious Minister of the Persian Court; this was Haman, a descendant of Amalek, who was at all times a dire enemy of the Jewish race. The malicious designs of this crafty Amalekite, were frustrated by the inscrutable ways of an all-wise Providence, who never forsakes the good and the just, in the hour of distress. The King of Persia made a great Feast for his Captains and nobles, after which, he made another Feast for all the people who were found in the Metropolis of Shushan. On the seventh day of this banquet, the King commanded his Queen Vashti to appear in the grand chamber before all the company who were then assembled. It being contrary to the laws of Persia for ladies to be seen in public assemblies, the Queen refused to do the King's bidding. This refusal of the Queen greatly incensed the King; and having consulted his Council as to the mode necessary to be adopted on this occasion, the King at their advice, removed Vashti from the Court, and deprived her of all her regal glory. When the King began to reflect on his hasty decree, he became disconsolate, and sorely regretted the loss of his favored Vashti. His friends and counsellors seeing this change in the King's manners, divined the cause, and endeavored to divert him therefrom, by advising and recommending him to select for himself another Queen, in the place of Vashti. The King, on reflection, approved the advice, and accordingly issued a Commission, throughout all his dominions, to select the most celebrated beauties that could be found, and present them at court, from whom the King might select one as his future Queen. Among the many ladies thus presented to the Persian Monarch, was a beautiful Jewess, named Esther, an orphan of both parents. She was brought up and educated under the kind care of her cousin Mordecai, a man of rank among the Jews, who was at that time living in the Capital of Persia. The King, on seeing Esther, was so charmed with her personal appearance, the elegance of her deportment, and her exquisite beauty, that he immediately resolved to crown her as the future Queen of Persia; and accordingly in the seventh year of his reign, the nuptials were celebrated in great pomp and magnificence.