Esther 1

Ahasuerus Displays His Royal Glory

1Now it happened in the days of Ahasuerus—the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Cush, over one hundred twenty-seven provinces— 2in those days, when King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom in the citadel of Susa, 3in the third year of his reign, he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. The army of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the officials of the provinces were before him. 4He displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and honor of his greatness for many days, one hundred eighty days. 5When these days were completed, the king gave a feast lasting seven days for all the people who were present in the citadel of Susa, from the greatest to the least, in the courtyard of the garden of the king’s palace. 6There were white and violet linen hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars; couches of gold and silver were upon a pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and dark stone. 7Drinks were served in vessels of gold, vessels differing from one another, and royal wine was abundant according to the king’s generosity. 8Drinking was according to the rule: “No compulsion.” For the king had instructed all the officials of his household to do according to each person’s desire. 9Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women in the royal house that belonged to King Ahasuerus.

Vashti Refuses the King’s Command

10On the seventh day, when the king’s heart was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served before King Ahasuerus, 11to bring Queen Vashti before the king wearing the royal crown, to show the peoples and the officials her beauty, for she was beautiful in appearance. 12Yet Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command that was delivered by the eunuchs. Then the king became very angry, and his fury burned within him.

The King Consults the Wise Men

13Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times—for this was the king’s custom toward everyone who knew law and judgment, 14and nearest to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven officials of Persia and Media who saw the king’s face and sat first in the kingdom— 15“According to law, what is to be done to Queen Vashti because she did not carry out the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?” 16Memucan said before the king and the officials, “Queen Vashti has not wronged the king alone, but also all the officials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17For the queen’s action will become known to all women, causing them to despise their husbands in their eyes when they say, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come.’ 18This very day the noble women of Persia and Media who hear of the queen’s action will speak likewise to all the king’s officials, and there will be contempt and anger enough. 19If it is good to the king, let a royal decree go out from before him, and let it be written among the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be revoked: Vashti will no longer come before King Ahasuerus, and the king will give her royal position to another who is better than she. 20When the decree that the king makes is heard throughout all his kingdom, though it is vast, all women will give honor to their husbands, from greatest to least.” 21The word was good in the eyes of the king and the officials, and the king did according to the word of Memucan. 22He sent letters to all the king’s provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, that every man should be ruler in his own house and speak according to the language of his people.