Queen Vashti Deposed

1 This is what happened during the time of Xerxes,a a the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provincesb stretching from India to Cushb:c 2 At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa,d 3 and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquete for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present.

4 For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. 5 When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days,f in the enclosed gardeng of the king’s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of Susa. 6 The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couchesh of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. 7 Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king’s liberality.i 8 By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished.

9 Queen Vashti also gave a banquetj for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.

10 On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spiritsk from wine,l he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona,m Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas—11 to bringn before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beautyo to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. 12 But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.p