Esther 2:3
And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:
Cross-reference
Esther 2:8 shows the immediate execution of this decree, with Esther among those gathered to the harem under Hegai's care.
Esther 2:9 shows Hegai favoring Esther, providing her beauty treatments as per the decree and advancing her in the harem.
Esther 2:16 describes Esther being taken to the king, the culmination of the process begun by the decree in v3.
Esther 2:12-14 details the beauty treatment process and rotation of virgins to the king, expanding on the decree's implementation.
Esther 2:5 introduces Mordecai in the same citadel of Susa, setting the scene for Esther's involvement.
Esther 2:19 mentions a second gathering of virgins, echoing the original decree's command to gather them.
Esther 1:1 establishes the 127-province kingdom — the same vast realm where commissioners are sent in 2:3 to gather virgins.
Esther 1:2 places the king's throne in Susa's citadel — the same location where the harem is set in 2:3.