When a powerful ruler is trapped in grief, those closest to him must often step beyond their standard duties to find a cure for his sorrow. The king's personal attendants do not merely wait for dry instructions. Sensing his deep sadness and longing for his lost queen, they take the initiative to offer a practical solution. They understand that the only way to heal his pain and help him move past his memories is through distraction, specifically by finding a new wife worthy of taking her place [ישע אלהים, מנות הלוי, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This search carries a deeper significance, as some suggest that while a person's first marriage is predetermined, a second marriage depends on their own actions. Therefore, the underlying goal is to find a decent and intelligent woman [מחיר יין].
The specific attendants who offer this immediate advice [שלום אסתר] are uniquely suited for the delicate moment. They are both young men and personal servants. As young men, they have a natural eye for beauty and the selection of women. At the same time, as personal attendants who constantly serve in the royal bedchambers, they possess a deep loyalty and genuine love for the king, prioritizing his personal well-being above all else [אבן עזרא מהדורא תניינא, מנות הלוי].
They propose a dedicated search on the king's behalf [אבן עזרא, עמנואל הרומי], outlining three clear conditions for the candidates. First, they must be young girls, rather than older women [יוסף אבן יחיא]. Second, they must be women who have never been married, as only they are suited for the honor of the king [יוסף אבן יחיא, אבן עזרא מהדורא תניינא, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Third, they must possess exceptional beauty. This refers to general physical attractiveness or a specific beauty that would personally please the king [אבן עזרא מהדורא תניינא, עמנואל הרומי]. This requirement of beauty is further understood to mean absolute perfection, encompassing flawless skin tone, impressive stature, and even a pleasant manner of speaking [מנות הלוי].
A crucial aspect of their advice lies in what is left unsaid. The attendants suggest selecting candidates based entirely on their beauty, completely ignoring their family lineage or social status. They understand that for a monarch of such immense power, there is no need to seek a wife from royalty or nobility; finding a woman who is beautiful and worthy is entirely sufficient [מלבי״ם].