Esther 1

King James Version

Full text for Esther Chapter 1

1¶ 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:)

2[That] in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which [was] in Shushan the palace,

3In 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:

4When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, [even] an hundred and fourscore days.

5And 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.

7And 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.

8And 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.

9Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women [in] the royal house which [belonged] to king Ahasuerus.

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,

11To 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.

12But 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.

13Then 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:

14And 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;)

15What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?

16And 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.

17For [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.

19If 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.

20And 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.

21And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

22For 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

King Ahasuerus, ruler of 127 provinces, held a lavish 180-day feast for his nobles, followed by a seven-day feast for all people in Shushan. During the latter, the king commanded Queen Vashti to appear before him to display her beauty, but she refused. This disobedience angered the king, who then consulted his wise men. Upon their counsel, a decree was issued, removing Vashti from her royal position and establishing that every man should rule in his own house.

Medium Summary

King Ahasuerus, whose vast empire stretched from India to Ethiopia, initiated his reign's third year with an extensive 180-day feast for his princes and servants, showcasing his kingdom's wealth. Following this, he hosted a seven-day public feast in the palace garden, characterized by opulent decorations and abundant wine, where drinking was voluntary. Concurrently, Queen Vashti held a separate feast for women. On the seventh day of the king's feast, Ahasuerus, being merry with wine, commanded Vashti to appear before him with her royal crown to display her beauty. However, Queen Vashti refused the royal summons, igniting the king's wrath. He then sought counsel from his wise men and chief princes regarding the legal implications of her defiance. Memucan, one of the princes, advised that Vashti's act would set a dangerous precedent, causing all women to despise their husbands. Consequently, a permanent decree was issued, stripping Vashti of her royal status and ensuring that every man would bear rule in his own household throughout the empire.

Long Summary

In the third year of his reign, King Ahasuerus, who governed an immense empire of 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia, held a magnificent 180-day feast for his princes, nobles, and servants in Shushan the palace. This grand event served to display the immense riches and glorious majesty of his kingdom. Following this prolonged display, the king hosted a seven-day feast for all the people present in Shushan, held in the beautifully adorned court of the king's palace garden. The setting was described with white, green, and blue hangings, silver rings, marble pillars, and beds of gold and silver upon a mosaic pavement of various colored marbles. Guests were served royal wine in diverse golden vessels, with the provision that no one was compelled to drink, allowing each man to partake according to his pleasure. During this time, Queen Vashti also held a separate feast for the women in the royal house. On the seventh day of the king's feast, as his heart was merry with wine, King Ahasuerus commanded his seven chamberlains to bring Queen Vashti before him, adorned with her royal crown, so that her beauty might be displayed to the people and princes. However, Queen Vashti steadfastly refused to obey the king's command, which greatly incensed Ahasuerus, causing his anger to burn within him. The king then consulted his wise men, who were knowledgeable in law and judgment, including his seven chief princes of Persia and Media. He sought their counsel on what legal action should be taken against Queen Vashti for her disobedience. Memucan, one of these princes, responded that Vashti's transgression was not only against the king but also against all the princes and people across the empire, as her act would encourage other women to despise their husbands. To prevent such widespread contempt, Memucan proposed a royal decree, unalterable by the laws of the Persians and Medes, that Vashti should never again come before King Ahasuerus, and her royal position should be given to another. This decree, he argued, when published throughout the vast empire, would ensure that all wives, great and small, would give honor to their husbands. The king and his princes approved of Memucan's counsel, and letters were promptly dispatched to all provinces, translated into every language, proclaiming that every man should bear rule in his own house.

Core Concepts

  • Ahasuerus's SovereigntyKing Ahasuerus is introduced as a powerful ruler reigning over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia, signifying the vastness and authority of his empire.
  • Royal Feasts and DisplayThe chapter details two grand feasts hosted by King Ahasuerus, primarily serving to showcase the immense wealth, glory, and majesty of his kingdom to his princes, servants, and the general populace.
  • Queen Vashti's DisobedienceThe central conflict arises from Queen Vashti's refusal to obey King Ahasuerus's command to appear before him at the feast, despite multiple summons through his chamberlains.
  • Counsel of Wise MenFollowing Vashti's defiance, King Ahasuerus consults his wise men and chief princes, who are knowledgeable in law and judgment, to determine the appropriate legal response to her actions.
  • Precedent and AuthorityMemucan, a chief prince, argues that Vashti's act sets a dangerous precedent for all women in the empire, potentially leading to widespread contempt for husbands and undermining male authority in households.
  • Royal Decree and LawBased on the counsel received, an unalterable royal decree is issued to remove Vashti from her royal position and to establish a universal law ensuring that every man should bear rule in his own house.