The Story Of Esther

                                                          

Esther 1New International Version (NIV)

Queen Vashti Deposed

1 This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush: 2 At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, 3 and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet 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, in the enclosed garden 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 couches 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. 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 banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes. 10 On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— 11 to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty 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.  13 Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times 14 and were closest to the king—Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom.  15 “According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?” he asked. “She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.”  16 Then Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, “Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. 17 For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.’ 18 This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.  19 “Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. 20 Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.”  21 The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed. 22 He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language,proclaiming that every man should be ruler over his own household, using his native tongue.

Why read this book?  Have you ever wondered if God is really involved in the circumstances of your life?  Do you sometimes question why life is such a struggle?  The Book of Esther more than any other book in the Bible reminds us of our world.  It tells the story of God’s involvement with His people, then and now. It is a compelling, dramatic, and exciting story.  It has clearly defined heroes and villains.  It also reveals deep spiritual truths about God’s power to deliver us from danger and oppression, even when rulers plan to do evil to God’s people.   

The story of Esther takes place in the Persian Empire during the reign of Ahasuerus, ( Greek form of his name, Xerxes I.)   He was the son of Darius the Great and reigned from 486-465 B.C. His vast empire extended from India to Ethiopia (Esther 1:1).

Esther was a descendant of the tribe of Benjamin, which had been part of the kingdom of Judah. Her ancestors, Jews who had been carried captive to Babylon nearly 100 years earlier.

 Main Characters 


                        King Ahasuerus (or Xerxes): powerful king who ruled the vast Persian Empire from India to Ethiopia 


                        Queen Vashti: His wife at the beginning of the Book of Esther 


                        Haman: a favorite of the king; wealthy, in uential, evil 


                        Mordecai: a godly Jew living in Shushan (or Susa) 


                        Esther (or Hadassah): an orphaned Jew, protected by her kinsman, Mordecai 


"Esther 1New International Version (NIV)

1 This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush: 2 At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, 3 and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet 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, in the enclosed garden 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 couches 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. 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 banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes. 10 On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— 11 to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty 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.  13 Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times 14 and were closest to the king—Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom.  15 “According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?” he asked. “She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.”  16 Then Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, “Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. 17 For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.’ 18 This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.  19 “Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. 20 Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.”  21 The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed. 22 He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language,proclaiming that every man should be ruler over his own household, using his native tongue."

Chapter 1 sets the scene in the Persian court. The king was offended when his wife Vashti refused to appear before him when he ordered her to do so. There was a great feast taking place at the time, and they were all merry with wine (Esther 1:10-11).

When the queen didn’t appear, the king, egged on by his advisers, removed her as his queen. They then advised him to seek out a new queen by searching for the most beautiful virgins in the land. Then the king would select one to become his queen.  

                                                     

Do you think Queen Vashti was right in disobeying her king and husband?         Why or why not? 


The wise men mention RESPECT several times in this chapter. Why did the wise men perceive Queen Vashti's refusal to be so dangerous to the kingdom?

So - what is your take on the 1st chapter of Esther?

My take..........

1 - Whether you realize it or not, we are all influential. We may not have an entire kingdom watching us and copying our behaviors, but we all have a sphere of influence and the impact of our actions is felt by others. Our display of respect for our husbands can encourage other women we know to behave in the same manner toward their own husbands, as contempt toward our husbands can influence them to disregard their husbands as well. This is particularly true of those of us who have been married longer. We are called to be good examples and good mentors to young wives and mothers (Titus 2:2-5).

2 - Also, the text does not say why Queen Vashti refused to come when summoned by her husband and king. Queen Vashti is described as possessing astonishing beauty, enough that it pleased her husband and king to show her off to his nobles and gathered guests. However considering the power that her husband had, the importance that he attached to the elaborate feast, and the regard that he had for her (or at least for her beauty) it is plausible to say that out of her reverence, fear, respect or mutual affection a more humble queen would have responded by obliging her husband’s request. 
It’s worth noting that Queen Vashti’s beauty did not prevent her from being deposed!  Her character did not prevent her from disregarding her husband. 

Some of us have no problem respecting any other man, but respect ends at our own husbands. Sad! 

No man is as worthy of our respect than the one we are married to! 

Always remember that the fate of a person lies in their attitude and their character!

***No worries single friends, we'll introduce Esther on the next blog. She shall arise from humble surroundings and, under the direction of her cousin Mordecai, shall make a bid to be the new queen.