EstherChapter 1

Tap any verse to comment or suggest a better wording.

¹This is what happened in the days of Xerxes. He ruled over 127 provinces, from India to Cush. ²In those days King Xerxes sat on his royal throne in the fortress city of Susa. ³In the third year of his rule, Xerxes held a feast for all his officials and servants. The army leaders of Persia and Media were there. The nobles and princes of the provinces were there too. ⁴For a full 180 days he showed off the great riches of his kingdom. He showed the shining glory of his greatness. ⁵When that time was over, the king held a feast that lasted seven days. It was in the garden court of the royal palace. It was for all the people in the fortress city of Susa, from the least to the greatest. ⁶White and blue linen curtains hung there. They were tied with cords of fine white and purple cloth to silver rings on marble pillars. Couches of gold and silver stood on a floor made of costly stones. The stones were red porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other rich stones set in a pattern. ⁷Drinks were served in gold cups. Each cup had a different design. The king's wine flowed freely, as only a rich king could give. ⁸The king gave an order that there was no limit on drinking. Every servant in his palace was to serve each man whatever he wanted. ⁹Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women in King Xerxes' royal palace. ¹⁰On the seventh day, the king was in high spirits from the wine. He gave an order to the seven eunuchs who served him. They were Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas. ¹¹He told them to bring Queen Vashti to him wearing her royal crown. He wanted to show the people and officials how beautiful she was. For she was very lovely to look at. ¹²But Queen Vashti would not come when the eunuchs brought the king's order. The king became furious. His anger burned inside him. ¹³Then the king spoke with the wise men who understood the times. It was his habit to ask advice from those who knew law and justice. ¹⁴His closest advisers were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. They were the seven princes of Persia and Media. They could go to see the king in person. They held the highest rank in the kingdom. ¹⁵The king asked, "What does the law say we should do with Queen Vashti? She did not obey King Xerxes' order that the eunuchs brought to her." ¹⁶Memucan answered in front of the king and his princes. "Queen Vashti has done wrong to the king," he said. "But she has also done wrong to all the princes. She has wronged all the peoples in all of King Xerxes' provinces. ¹⁷For all the women will hear what the queen did. Then they will look down on their husbands. They will say, 'King Xerxes told Queen Vashti to come to him, but she would not come.' ¹⁸This very day the noble women of Persia and Media have heard what the queen did. They will say the same thing to all the king's officials. There will be no end of scorn and anger. ¹⁹So if it pleases the king, let him send out a royal order. Let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, so it can never be changed. Let it say that Vashti may never again come before King Xerxes. Let the king give her place as queen to another woman who is better than she is. ²⁰Then the king's order will be heard all through his huge kingdom. And all the women, from the least to the greatest, will honor their husbands." ²¹The king and his princes liked this advice. So the king did what Memucan said. ²²He sent letters to all the provinces of his kingdom. He wrote to each province in its own kind of writing. He wrote to each people in their own language. The letters said that every man should be the master of his own home.