A citation from the library
Adam Clarke, on Esth 2:2
Adam Clarke · 1762–1832
Esth 2:2 · Douay-Rheims
“And the king’s servants and his officers said: Let young women be sought for the king, virgins and beautiful,”
On this verse:
“Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king - This was the usual way in which the harem or seraglio was furnished: the finest women in the land, whether of high or low birth, were sought out, and brought to the harem. They all became the king's concubines: but one was raised, as chief wife or sultana, to the throne; and her issue was specially entitled to inherit.”
Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.