Dusk in a Persian palace garden court: long tables set with rows of gold goblets, white and blue linen hangings stirring on marble pillars, one attendant far off lighting clay lamps, and a calm empty evening sky above.

The Book of

Esther 1

The richest king on earth throws a feast, and one woman says no.

22 verses≈ 5 min2 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–2A new queenVashti out, Esther crownedChapter 1
3The plotHaman buys a decree
4–5The riskEsther goes to the king
6–7The turnA sleepless night, a gallows
8–9OverturnedA second decree, and Purim
10MordecaiSecond to the king

Xerxes’ Royal Feast

Early morning over the citadel of Susa, seen from the plain: palace columns catching the first light high on a great mud-brick mound, the river and date palms below, snow-streaked mountains far to the north, and two small riders on the road.

This is what happened in the days of Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Cush. In those days King Xerxes sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa.

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Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

In the third year of his reign, Xerxes held a feast for all his officials and servants. The military leaders of Persia and Media were there, along with the nobles and princes of the provinces. And for a full 180 days he displayed the glorious riches of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness.

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Stylised map · locations approximate

Where it happened

From India to Cush

Xerxes ruled the largest empire the world had yet seen, from the Indus in the east to the upper Nile in the south. Susa, one of his great capitals, sat near its heart.

Reflect

On display

Xerxes spent half a year showing people how great he was. What do you most want others to see in you, and why?

Queen Vashti’s Refusal

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

On the seventh day, when the king’s heart was merry with wine, he ordered the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas— to bring Queen Vashti before him, wearing her royal crown, to display her beauty to the people and officials. For she was beautiful to behold.

Queen Vashti, however, refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs.

Pray

Slow to burn

Lord, You know how quickly anger catches and how hard it is to put down. Search my temper today. Where I have been proud, humble me. And where saying no is right, give me the courage to say it. Amen.

Queen Vashti Deposed

Then the king consulted the wise men who knew the times, for it was customary for him to confer with the experts in law and justice. His closest advisors were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who had personal access to the king and ranked highest in the kingdom.

King Xerxes

“According to law,” he asked, “what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey the command of King Xerxes delivered by the eunuchs?”

Memucan

And in the presence of the king and his princes, Memucan replied, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the princes and the peoples in all the provinces of King Xerxes. For the conduct of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes ordered Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come.’

This very day the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard about the queen’s conduct will say the same thing to all the king’s officials, resulting in much contempt and wrath.

Memucan

So if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree, and let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be repealed, that Vashti shall never again enter the presence of King Xerxes, and that her royal position shall be given to a woman better than she. The edict the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom—and so all women, from the least to the greatest, will honor their husbands.”

that Vashti shall never again enter the presence of King Xerxes

The king and his princes were pleased with this counsel; so the king did as Memucan advised. He sent letters to all the provinces of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be master of his own household.

Question

Quick question

One refusal at a feast became a law for a whole empire.

Why did Memucan want Queen Vashti deposed?

You’ve experienced

Esther 1

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A verse to carry with you

This is what happened in the days of Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Cush.

Esther 1:1

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