Advanced Commentary

Texts -- Esther 1:1-20 (NET)

Context
The King Throws a Lavish Party
1:1 The following events happened in the days of Ahasuerus . (I am referring to that Ahasuerus who used to rule over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces extending all the way from India to Ethiopia .) 1:2 In those days , as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa the citadel , 1:3 in the third year of his reign he provided a banquet for all his officials and his servants . The army of Persia and Media was present , as well as the nobles and the officials of the provinces . 1:4 He displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his majestic greatness for a lengthy period of time – a hundred and eighty days , to be exact! 1:5 When those days were completed , the king then provided a seven-day banquet for all the people who were present in Susa the citadel , for those of highest standing to the most lowly . It was held in the court located in the garden of the royal palace . 1:6 The furnishings included linen and purple curtains hung by cords of the finest linen and purple wool on silver rings , alabaster columns , gold and silver couches displayed on a floor made of valuable stones of alabaster , mother-of-pearl , and mineral stone . 1:7 Drinks were served in golden containers , all of which differed from one another . Royal wine was available in abundance at the king’s expense . 1:8 There were no restrictions on the drinking , for the king had instructed all of his supervisors that they should do as everyone so desired . 1:9 Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in King Ahasuerus ’ royal palace .
Queen Vashti is Removed from Her Royal Position
1:10 On the seventh day , as King Ahasuerus was feeling the effects of the wine , he ordered Mehuman , Biztha , Harbona , Bigtha , Abagtha , Zethar , and Carcas , the seven eunuchs who attended him, 1:11 to bring Queen Vashti into the king’s presence wearing her royal high turban . He wanted to show the people and the officials her beauty , for she was very attractive . 1:12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s bidding conveyed through the eunuchs . Then the king became extremely angry , and his rage consumed him. 1:13 The king then inquired of the wise men who were discerners of the times – for it was the royal custom to confer with all those who were proficient in laws and legalities . 1:14 Those who were closest to him were Carshena , Shethar , Admatha , Tarshish , Meres , Marsena , and Memucan . These men were the seven officials of Persia and Media who saw the king on a regular basis and had the most prominent offices in the kingdom . 1:15 The king asked, “By law , what should be done to Queen Vashti in light of the fact that she has not obeyed the instructions of King Ahasuerus conveyed through the eunuchs ?” 1:16 Memucan then replied to the king and the officials , “The wrong of Queen Vashti is not against the king alone , but against all the officials and all the people who are throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus . 1:17 For the matter concerning the queen will spread to all the women , leading them to treat their husbands with contempt , saying , ‘When King Ahasuerus gave orders to bring Queen Vashti into his presence , she would not come .’ 1:18 And this very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media who have heard the matter concerning the queen will respond in the same way to all the royal officials , and there will be more than enough contempt and anger ! 1:19 If the king is so inclined , let a royal edict go forth from him , and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media that cannot be repealed , that Vashti may not come into the presence of King Ahasuerus , and let the king convey her royalty to another who is more deserving than she. 1:20 And let the king’s decision which he will enact be disseminated throughout all his kingdom , vast though it is. Then all the women will give honor to their husbands , from the most prominent to the lowly .”

Pericope

NET
  • Est 1:1-9 -- The King Throws a Lavish Party
  • Est 1:10-22 -- Queen Vashti is Removed from Her Royal Position

Bible Dictionary

more

Arts

Questions

Sermon Illustrations

Biblical Polygamists

Resources/Books

Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • While Joab was continuing to subdue the Ammonites the following spring by besieging Rabbah (modern Amman, the capital of Jordan; cf. 10:7), David was residing in Jerusalem (11:1). By mentioning the fact that normally kings le...
  • The month Chislev (v. 1) corresponds to our late November and early December. The year in view was the twentieth year of Artaxerxes' reign (i.e., 445-444 B.C.). Susa (or Shushan, in Hebrew) was a winter capital of Artaxerxes ...
  • The events of the Book of Esther took place during the Persian period of ancient history (539-331 B.C.) and during the reign of King Ahasuerus in particular (486-464 B.C.).Chronology of the Book of Esther483Ahasuerus' militar...
  • I. God's preparations 1:1-2:20A. Vashti deposed ch. 11. The king's feast 1:1-92. The queen's dismissal 1:10-22B. Esther elevated 2:1-201. The plan to replace Vashti 2:1-42. Esther's selection 2:5-113. The choice of Esther as ...
  • This chapter records the providential circumstances whereby Esther was able to rise to her influential position with the Persian king."Though no mention is made of God's providence, it nevertheless plays a prominent part, and...
  • Ahasuerus is the Hebrew name of the Persian king, Khshayarsha, whom we know better in ancient history by his Greek name, Xerxes.22He reigned over the Persian Empire from 486 to 464 B.C. and was the son of Darius I (521-486 B....
  • The Persian kings castrated many of the men who served the king and his family (v. 10) so they could not have sexual relations with the female members of the royal court and start dynasties of their own."Vashti"("best,""the b...
  • Ahasuerus had second thoughts about having deposed Vashti (v. 1), but he evidently concluded that the action he had taken against her needed to stand. The attendants' plan doubtless appealed to the king's ego (vv. 2-4). The w...
  • Esther again had to argue her case, this time for clemency for the Jews. Her request involved expense to the king. Esther would not have been sure he would grant it. Ahasuerus could have spared the life of the queen and Morde...
  • "The setting of the Mesopotamian dream-visions--which occurred in both the Assyrian period and the Babylonian period . . . --consisted of four elements: (1) the date, (2) the place of reception, (3) the recipient, and (4) the...
  • 40:17-19 The passageway in the eastern gate complex led into a courtyard. This was the outer court that contained an inner court within it. Around the perimeter of this outer court were 30 rooms. It is not clear if they were ...
  • 5:1 Older critical scholars have claimed that Belshazzar was never a king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.167However modern discoveries have shown that Belshazzar acted as king during his father's frequent and prolonged absences...
  • 6:1-2 When the Medo-Persian alliance overthrew the Neo-Babylonian Empire, it acquired much geographic territory that it proceeded to incorporate into its kingdom. The Persian Empire became the largest that the world had yet s...
  • 6:4 The text does not say why the other officials wanted to get rid of Daniel. Perhaps his integrity made it difficult for them to get away with graft and political corruption. Maybe since he was quite old they wanted to elim...
  • 8:2 Evidently Daniel was in Babylon when he had this vision, but what he saw, including himself, was in Susa (Shushan, AV; cf. Ezek. 8:3; 40:1).293Daniel probably knew where he was in his vision because he had visited Susa. I...
Back to Commentary Page


created in 0.05 seconds
powered by
bible.org - YLSA