“Esther did not reveal her people or her kindred, because Mordecai had instructed her that she was not to reveal them.” (10) Mordecai had taken care of his cousin Esther raising her as his own daughter on behalf of her parents who died. When she was chosen as one of the candidates for Queen, he walked back and forth daily in front of the harem “…to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her.” (11b). She continued in this posture of respect toward Hegai who was in charge of all the women. After a year of preparations, she was brought to the king and was given the option to take whatever she desired. When her time came to go before the king, “…she did not request anything except what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the women, advised. And Esther was finding favor in the eyes of all who saw her.” (15c, d). Esther’s posture of honor and obedience toward authorities in her life eventually elevated her to a place of favor, power and privilege. Yes, her natural beauty was a factor, but these verses point primarily to the favor she gained from honoring those who were OVER her and CARED for her. When we, in this way, honor those who are over us in a caring posture, we are guided to a place of great favor.