Esther 1:1–9

The King Dethrones Queen Vashti

1 Now it came to pass in the days of aAhasuerus 1(this was the Ahasuerus who reigned bover one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, cfrom India to Ethiopia), 2 in those days when King Ahasuerus dsat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in eShushan 2the 3citadel, 3 that in the third year of his reign he fmade a feast for all his officials and servants—the powers of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the princes of the provinces being before him— 4 when he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the splendor of his excellent majesty for many days, one hundred and eighty days in all.

5 And when these days were completed, the king made a feast lasting seven days for all the people who were present in 4Shushan the 5citadel, from great to small, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace. 6 There were white and blue linen curtains fastened with cords of fine linen and purple on silver rods and marble pillars; and the gcouches were of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of alabaster, turquoise, and white and black marble. 7 And they served drinks in golden vessels, each vessel being different from the other, with royal wine in abundance, haccording to the 6generosity of the king. 8 In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had ordered all the officers of his household, that they should do according to each man’s pleasure.

9 Queen Vashti also made a feast for the women in the royal palace which belonged to King Ahasuerus.