V.1-3 Mordecai is obviously distressed and for good reason; he loves his nation. He was doing a brave thing to come to the very gate of the palace in sackcloth, and to cry out bitterly.
V.4-8 Queen Esther hears of the way Mordecai is dressed and of his weeping and she shares his grief.
V.10-14 Esther at first is afraid, but then she is reminded that her own life will also be taken along with all the other Jews. Also, she is reminded that she might have come to the office of queen for just this special challenge. Notice again her willingness to submit to her cousin’s advice. As you are reading this chapter, notice seven things in the first three verses: (1) rent (tore) his clothes, (2) put on sackcloth, (3) cried, (4) mourning, (5) fasting, (6) weeping and (7) wailing. We will see a contrast with these things when the story unfolds more.