Esther 1

Esther 1:1

I. THE EXPULSION OF VASHTI DECREED (Chap. 1)1:1-4 Although not all scholars agree as to the identity of Ahasuerus, most modern commentators believe him to be Xerxes (see NKJV, marg.), the son of Darius the Great. Xerxes reigned from 486 to 465 BC. The first feast did not necessarily last uninterrupted for one hundred and eighty days. Rather, this was the time required to display the riches of his glorious kingdom. Probably different nobles came at different times throughout this period since the empire was so vast. 1:5-8 The second feast lasted seven days and was open to all the people of Shushan. Royal wine flowed freely from golden vessels in the elegantly furnished garden court (v. 6 is surely the most colorful verse in the Bible!). Guests were permitted to drink as much or as little as they chose. 1:9-12 The inebriated Xerxes ordered his chamberlains to bring Queen Vashti, who was hosting the women at a separate banquet. He wanted her at the public celebration so that he could show her beauty. Since Persian modesty required women to be veiled in public, it appears that the king was asking her to degrade herself to satisfy his drunken whim. She refused to be displayed, thus greatly angering the king. 1:13-20 When the king consulted his wise men, they told him that Vashti’s behavior would prove a bad example to the women throughout the realm. Memucan therefore suggested that Vashti be deposed by a royal decree and that the decree be circulated in every part of the empire. Knowing that the law of the Medes and Persians was unalterable, the wise men might have suggested such a drastic step to ensure that Vashti would not return to power and punish them. 1:21, 22 The king rashly signed their advice into law and ordered it published in every province in the language of every people. Included was the law that every man should be master in his own house and that his language should be the one used there. Dr. J. Vernon McGee has suggested that Memucan at home was a hen-pecked husband, and that he was getting back at his wife with this decree.