Esther1
World English Bible · Public Domain
1Now in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India even to Ethiopia, over one hundred twenty-seven provinces),
2in those days, when the King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Susa the palace,
3in the third year of his reign, he made a feast for all his princes and his servants; the army of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces being before him.
4He displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even one hundred eighty days.
5When these days were fulfilled, the king made a seven day feast for all the people who were present in Susa the palace, both great and small, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.
6There were hangings of white and blue material, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. The couches were of gold and silver, on a pavement of red, white, yellow, and black marble.
7They gave them drinks in golden vessels of various kinds, including royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the king.
8In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had instructed all the officials of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure.
9Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to King Ahasuerus.
10On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcass, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
11to bring Vashti the queen before the king wearing the royal crown, to show the people and the princes her beauty; for she was beautiful.
12But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by the eunuchs. Therefore the king was very angry, and his anger burned in him.
13Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times (for it was the king’s custom to consult those who knew law and judgment;
14and next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king’s face, and sat first in the kingdom),
15“What shall we do to Queen Vashti according to law, because she has not done the bidding of the King Ahasuerus by the eunuchs?”
16Memucan answered before the king and the princes, “Vashti the queen has not done wrong to just the king, but also to all the princes, and to all the people who are in all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus.
17For this deed of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to show contempt for their husbands when it is reported, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she didn’t come.’
18Today, the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s deed will tell all the king’s princes. This will cause much contempt and wrath.
19“If it pleases the king, let a royal commandment go from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it cannot be altered, that Vashti may never again come before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate to another who is better than she.
20When the king’s decree which he shall make is published throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give their husbands honor, both great and small.”
21This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
22for he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language, that every man should rule his own house, speaking in the language of his own people.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Esther 1.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The royal feast of Ahasuerus. (1–9). Vashti's refusal to appear, The king's decree. (10–22).
vv1-9
The pride of Ahasuerus's heart rising with the grandeur of his kingdom, he made an extravagant feast. This was vain glory. Better is a dinner of herbs with quietness, than this banquet of wine, with all the noise and tumult that must have attended it. But except grace prevails in the heart, self-exaltation and self-indulgence, in one form or another, will be the ruling principle. Yet none did compel; so that if any drank to excess, it was their own fault. This caution of a heathen prince, even when he would show his generosity, may shame many called Christians, who, under pretence of sending the health round, send sin round, and death with it. There is a woe to them that do so; let them read it, and tremble, Hab 2:15, 16.
vv10-22
Ahasuerus's feast ended in heaviness, by his own folly. Seasons of peculiar festivity often end in vexation. Superiors should be careful not to command what may reasonably be disobeyed. But when wine is in, men's reason departs from them. He that had rule over 127 provinces, had no rule over his own spirit. But whether the passion or the policy of the king was served by this decree, God's providence made way for Esther to the crown, and defeated Haman's wicked project, even before it had entered into his heart, and he arrived at his power. Let us rejoice that the Lord reigns, and will overrule the madness or folly of mankind to promote his own glory, and the safety and happiness of his people.
Key Words
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ: Achashverosh (i.e. Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes, but in this case Xerxes), the title (rather than name) of a Persian king
מָלַךְ: to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence (by implication) to take counsel
הֹדוּ: Hodu (i.e. Hindustan)
כּוּשׁ: Cush (or Ethiopia), the name of a son of Ham, and of his territory; also of an Israelite
מְדִינָה: properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region
הֵם: they (only used when emphatic)
מֶלֶךְ: a king
יָשַׁב: properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
מַלְכוּת: a rule; concretely, a dominion
Cross References
Esther 1Refers to the seven counsellors who stood before the Persian king, aligning with the seven princes here.
Supported by JFB
Illustrates the unalterable nature of the laws of the Medes and Persians.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Pronounces a woe upon those who compel or entice others to excessive drinking.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Describes wise men who had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Confirms that royal decrees written in the king's name and sealed cannot be reversed.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Re-emphasizes the empire's vast extent, stretching from India to Ethiopia across many provinces.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the use of gold vessels in royal, wine-fueled feasts of pagan empires.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Mentions those who 'saw the king's face' as a mark of highest royal favor and access.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Establishes Shushan the palace as the prominent royal winter residence for Persian rulers.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Shares the royal color scheme of blue, white, and fine linen in Shushan.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Refers to the couches or beds used during banquets in the Persian palace.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Mentions the royal eunuchs (chamberlains) who served in the king's immediate presence.
Supported by JFB
Parallels a host's heart being 'merry within him' while heavily intoxicated with wine.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Illustrates how man devises his way, but the Lord sovereignly directs his steps.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Contrasts the enforced civil subjection of wives here with the godly submission of Christian wives.
Supported by JFB