Esther 1

Esther 1:1 These events took place during the days of Ahasuerus, who ruled 127 provinces from India to Cush.

Esther 1:2 In those days, King Ahasuerus reigned from his royal throne in the fortress at Susa.

Esther 1:3 He held a feast in the third year of his reign for all his officials and slaves,[1] the army[2] of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the captains[3] from the provinces before[4] him.

Esther 1:4 He displayed the impressive[5] wealth of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness for a total of 180 days.

Esther 1:5 At the end of this time, the king hosted a week-long banquet in the garden courtyard of the royal palace for everyone, from the greatest to the least, who were present in the fortress of Susa.

Esther 1:6 White and violet linen hangings were secured with delicate white and purple linen cords to silver rods on marble columns. Gold and silver couches were arranged on a mosaic floor made of red feldspar, marble, mother-of-pearl, and precious stones.

Esther 1:7 Drinks were served in a variety of gold goblets, each with a unique design. Royal wine flowed freely, as specified by the king’s generosity.

Esther 1:8 The drinking was according to royal decree: “There are no restrictions.” The king had ordered every wine steward in his house[6] to serve whatever each person wanted.

Esther 1:9 Queen Vashti also hosted a banquet for the women of King Ahasuerus’s house.

Esther 1:10 On the seventh day, when the king’s heart[7] was feeling good from the wine, Ahasuerus commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas — the seven eunuchs who personally ministered[8] before him–

Esther 1:11 to bring Queen Vashti before him with her royal crown. He wanted to show off her beauty to the people and the captains because she was lovely.

Esther 1:12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command, which his eunuchs delivered. The king became furious,[9] and his anger burned within him.

Esther 1:13 The king consulted with the wise men who understood the times, as it was his usual practice to confer with legal and justice experts.

Esther 1:14 The most trusted officials were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. They were the seven captains of Persia and Media who had direct access to the king and held the highest positions in the kingdom.

Esther 1:15 The king asked, “According to the law, what should be done to Queen Vashti since she refused to obey King Ahasuerus’s command, which the eunuchs delivered?”

Esther 1:16 Memucan told the king and his officials, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also all the officials and the people in every one of King Ahasuerus’s provinces.”

Esther 1:17 For the queen’s actions will become known to all women and lead them to despise their husbands, saying, ‘King Ahasuerus ordered Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come.’

Esther 1:18 Before this day ends, the noble women of Persia and Media who hear about the queen’s act will tell the same thing to all the king’s captains, leading to more contempt and anger.

Esther 1:19 “If it meets the king’s approval, he should personally issue a royal decree. Let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be revoked: Vashti is not to come before King Ahasuerus, and her royal position is to be given to another woman more worthy than she.”

Esther 1:20 The decree the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom so that all women will honor their husbands, from the greatest to the least.

Esther 1:21 The king and his captains approved the proposal, and he followed Memucan’s advice.

Esther 1:22 He sent letters to all the royal provinces, in their own script and language, telling each man to be the ruler of his household and to speak the language of his people.

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[1] עֶבֶד = slave. Esther 1:3; 2:18; 3:2, 3; 4:11; 5:11; 7:4.

[2] חַיִל = capable, powerful, efficient, army. Esther 1:3; 8:11.

[3] שַׂר = captain. Esther 1:3, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21; 2:18; 3:1, 12; 5:11; 6:9; 8:9; 9:3.

[4] פָּנִים = face, before. Esther 1:3, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19; 2:11, 23; 3:7; 4:5, 6; 6:1, 9, 11, 13; 7:6, 8, 9; 8:1, 4, 5, 15; 9:2, 25.

[5] כָּבוֹד = impressive, reward, honor. Esther 1:4; 5:11.

[6] בַּיִת = house, (family, home, temple) inside. Esther 1:8, 9, 22; 2:3, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16; 4:13, 14; 5:1, 10; 6:4, 12; 7:8, 9; 8:1, 2, 7; 9:4.

[7] לֵב = heart. Esther 1:10; 5:9; 6:6; 7:5.

[8] שָׁרָת  = minister. Esther 1:10; 2:2; 6:3.

[9] קָצַף = be infurated, furious. Esther 1:12; 2:21.

links:

two wrongs

The Esther shelf in my library