Esther 1

Vashti Angers the King

1These events took place during the days of Ahasuerus, ^abwho ruled 127 provinces ^cfrom India ^dto Cush. ²In those days King Ahasuerus reigned from his royal throne ^ein the fortress at Susa. ^f3He held a feast ^gin the third year of his reign for all his officials and staff, the army of Persia and Media, ^hthe nobles, ⁱand the officials from the provinces. ⁴He displayed the glorious wealth of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness ^jfor a total of 180 days.

⁵At the end of this time, the king held a week-long banquet ^kin the garden courtyard ^lof the royal palace ^mfor all the people, from the greatest to the least, ⁿwho were present in the fortress of Susa. ^o6White and violet linen hangings were fastened with fine white and purple linen cords to silver rods on marble ^pcolumns. Gold and silver couches ^qwere arranged on a mosaic pavement of red feldspar, ^rmarble, ^smother-of-pearl, and precious stones.

⁷Beverages were served in an array of gold goblets, ^teach with a different design. Royal wine flowed freely, according to the king’s bounty ^u8and no restraint was placed on the drinking. The king had ordered every wine steward in his household to serve as much as each person wanted. ⁹Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women of King Ahasuerus’s palace.

¹⁰On the seventh day, when the king was feeling good from the wine, ^vAhasuerus commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, ^wBigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs ^xwho personally served him, ¹¹to bring Queen Vashti before him with her royal crown. He wanted to show off her beauty to the people and the officials, because she was very beautiful. ^y12But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command that was delivered by his eunuchs. The king became furious and his anger burned within him. ^z

The King’s Decree

¹³The king consulted the wise men ^awho understood the times, ^bcfor it was his normal procedure to confer with experts in law and justice. ¹⁴The most trusted ones ^dwere Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. They were the seven officials ^eof Persia and Media ^fwho had personal access to the king ^gand occupied the highest positions in the kingdom. ^h15The king asked, “According to the law, what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey King Ahasuerus’s command that was delivered by the eunuchs?”

¹⁶Memucan said in the presence of the king and his officials, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the officials and the peoples who are in every one of King Ahasuerus’s provinces. ⁱ¹⁷For the queen’s action will become public knowledge to all the women and cause them to despise their husbands and say, ‘King Ahasuerus ordered Queen Vashti brought before him, but she did not come.’ ¹⁸Before this day is over, the noble women of Persia and Media who hear about the queen’s act will say the same thing to all the king’s officials, resulting in more contempt and fury.

¹⁹“If it meets the king’s approval, he should personally issue a royal decree. Let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media, so that it cannot be revoked: ^jVashti is not to enter King Ahasuerus’s presence, and her royal position is to be given to another woman who is more worthy than she. ^k20The decree the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom, ^lso all women will honor their husbands, ^mfrom the least to the greatest.” ⁿ

²¹The king and his counselors approved the proposal, and he followed Memucan’s advice. ²²He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to each province in its own script and to each ethnic group in its own language, ^othat every man should be master of his own house and speak in the language of his own people.