John Trapp on Esther 2:8

Verſe 8. When the Kings commandment and decree was heard] Percrebuiſſet: his officers (herein over-officious) had ſoone ſet it abroad, and put it in execution: the Perſians alſo (homines ad ſervitut ens paxati, as Tiberius ſaid of the Romanes) thoſe ſervile ſouls, deny not to proſtitute their daughters, but proffer them rather, and hold them happy if they may be admitted. Not ſo Mordecai and his Eſther Vis major eam abſtulit. She was carried away by force, 'tis like or if otherwiſe, it might be a fault in her and her Guardian; unleſſe we ſhall ſay they did it by an extraordinary inſtinct. Probably there was a ſad parting and many prayers put up by them both for divine direction and protection; and they were heard accordingly.

And when many maidens were gathered together] Four hundred,Lib. 11. cap. 6. ſaith Joſephus. Sed quid attinebat tot puellas huic cani conſtuprandas offerre? ſaith Feuardentius, Plin. lib. why ſhould this dog deflour ſo many maidens? Proculus Caeſar boaſted that in fifteene dayes ſpace he got with child twenty Virgins: a fair commendation.

Ʋnto Shuſhan the palace] Anſwerable to the Seraglio, where thoſe that are kept up for their beauties, are all young Virgins taken and ſtollen from forraine Nations; where after they have been inſtructed in good behaviour, and can play upon inſtruments, ſing, dance, and ſew curiouſly, they are given to the Grand Signior as preſents of great value. They live juſt as Nunnes do in great Nunneries, &c.

That Eſther was brought alſo] In the general ſurvey, ſhe was taken among the reſt and brought to the Court; an ill aire for Piety to breath in.—exeat aulâ Qui vult eſſe pius. Fraus ſublimi regnat in aulz. Sen. But neceſſity is an hard weapon. As the Turks at this day, ſo the Perſian Kings then, took all their ſubjects to be their ſlaves, holding not only their eſtates, but their lives and all they have, at their diſpoſe, without reſpect either to the cauſe or manner.

To the cuſtody of Hegai keeper of the women] Clapt up as it were, in a glorious priſon, being not to come abroad but when the King calls, nor to frequent any ſociety, but ſuch as is appointed her for her neceſſary attendance and comfort. See the like in the deſcription of the Grand Signiors Seraglio, chap. 4.