The answer is: He held a beauty contest for the young girls of Persia

Esther 2:2-4

The story of Esther unfolds against a vivid backdrop of palace intrigue and royal spectacle. When the former queen, Vashti, dared to defy King Xerxes, it sparked a search for a new consort that was anything but ordinary—a beauty contest! Can you imagine the streets bustling with young women, all sent as potential brides to enter a beauty pageant on an empire-level scale?

The king’s fascination with beauty can be seen not only as a desire for an attractive wife but also as a reflection of the kingdom’s values and the kingship's grandeur. Each young girl presented unique traits, competing for the king’s affections, rambunctiously flirting with fate in a rather homogenous society. This practice might remind us oddly enough of modern talent shows, where skill meets public favor, underscoring how human preferences for beauty remain relevant, millennia later.

Interestingly, the Persian Empire was known for its extensive use of spa treatments and beauty secrets, which adds a flair to Esther's eminent appointment as queen. And speaking of Esther, her story doesn’t just conclude with her royal ascension; her cleverness and bravery amid deception are fundamental to the Jewish celebration of Purim, where her influence and story carry echoes of deliverance for her people amidst trial and uncertainty—a spirited reminder throughout the ages.