Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)
God is allowing us to see the behavior of a king of the world. He is the king of 127 territories.
2 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
4 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.
King Ahasuerus took several months to show his kingdom. In my study, I found that kings show off the goods he has and those he invites to see what he has, all marvel at what's hia, but the expense of what he owns came from the taxes the people paid.
5 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;
6 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
After the tour of his kingdom, he made a feast for all the people of SHUSHAN. The lavish decor perhaps mesmerized all the people and they were blinded in that, he was inviting them to a feast that they paid for.
7 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
8 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.
Drinks were served and there was no limit in how much a person could have.
9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
The men and women were separated. The king's wife was also have a feast during the same time.
10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
There is a difference in asking and commanding. The king was drunk and COMMANDED his servants to carry out his orders.
11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.
It was recorded by some that there was a competition or bet on who had the most beautiful wife. The king asked 7 servants to bring his wife to show her beauty.
12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
The seven men were commanded to bring his wife Vashti. The servants did as they were told, however, Queen Vashti refused to comply. (Could she have been drunk as well?). When the king heard that she refused to come with the servants, he was furious. WHAT WOULD JESUS DO IF HIS WIFE REFUSED TO DO AS HE SAID?
13 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment:
The king called his advisers and discussed with them what he should do concerning his wife's decision not to do as he commanded.
14 And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)
7 princes saw the king's angry face.
15 What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
The king asked what can I do lawfully to my wife, for disobeying my command?
16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
17 For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.
18 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.
19 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.
20 And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.
21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
Memucan was the only one who gave an idea of how to handle what Queeen Vashti did. The king was pleased with his suggestion. It is not recorded of anyone who had a greater or lesser response to what to do about the refusal of the king's wife to attend his selfish command.
22 For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.
The king made a decree and it was signed sealed and delivered. No wife could refuse what her husband wanted of her without serious consequence. The decree was sent to every home throughout all the provinces and Vashti was removed from her palace and another woman was being sought to take her place.
King Ahasuerus was an evil king. The king was also a pagan king. Pagan kings make rules as they wished. This is against God's authority for man. In God's kingdom for earth all guideline are ordered by God. Thisn evil decree was an emotional decision made by ungodly rulers. When decision are made by ungodly rulers people suffer needlessly. James 1:20 says our anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. When we plant seeds of an emotional response to a problem, we reap a harvest of regret. All parties involved will suffer what the king decreed.
My Minute Song
Esther 1
God never meant for man to make rules
He told man all that he must do
Everything is written in the Word of God
Anything less, will break God’s heart
Never let your emotions
Dictate your decisions
Check with the word of God
Before you cause divisions
Every law of God
All of His laws are good
and good for all
His laws are good
For all mankind
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