Vashti Rebels Against the King's Request |
Esther 1:1-22 The Book of Esther [in Smaller Chunks] |
Now, it [happened, during] the days of [king] Ahasuerus, [a.k.a. Xerxes,] ([who] ruled from India to Ethiopia & [had] over 127 provinces:) That [during] those days, king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom [in] the palace in Shushan, [a.k.a. Susa.] |
In the 3rd year [he ruled,] he made a feast [for] all his princes & his servants. All the [powerful] princes, servants & nobles of his provinces of Persia & Media, being [in front of] him. When, [the king showed] the riches of his glorious kingdom & the honor of his excellent majesty, even [for] 180 days. |
And when these days were [over,] the king made a feast [for] all the people [who] were present in the palace [in] Shushan, in a [courtyard] of the garden of the king's palace [for] 7 days, [for] both the [powerless & the powerful.] |
[There] were white, green & blue hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen & purple, to silver rings & marble pillars, [a.k.a. columns.] The [couches] were gold & silver, upon a pavement [walkway] of red & blue, white & black marble. |
According to the [generosity] of the king, they were [given] royal wine to drink in abundance, in gold ([goblets, each uniquely different] from one another.) And the drinking was according to the [rule] & none [were compelled.] for the king had [ordered] all the officers of his house, that they should [give amounts of wine,] according to every man’s pleasure. |
Also, queen Vashti made a feast for the women in the royal house, [that] belonged to king Ahasuerus. |
On the 7th day, when the king's heart was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar & Carcas, [a.k.a. Karkas,] the 7 chamberlains, [a.k.a. eunuchs, who] served in the presence of king Ahasuerrus, to bring queen Vashti before the king with the royal crown, to [show] the people & the princes her beauty: for she was [lovely] to look [at.] |
But queen Vashti refused to come at the king's [command] by his chamberlains. Therefore, the king was very [angry] & his anger burned [within] him. Then, the king [talked] to the wise men, [who] knew the times, (for it was the king's manner toward all [who] knew law & [justice:] |
And next to [the king] was Carshena, [a.k.a. Karshena,] Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena & Memucan, [a.k.a. Memukan,] the 7 princes of Persia & Media, [who met face to face with the king] & sat [as the highest leaders] in the kingdom.) |
According to the law, what shall we do to queen Vashti, because she hasn’t performed the command king Ahasuerus [gave to his] chamberlains? And Memucan answered [in front of] the king & princes, Queen Vashti hasn't only done wrong to the king, but also to all the princes & all the people [who] are in king [Ahasuerus'] provinces. |
For [the queen's] deed [of defiance] shall [spread] to all [the] women, so their husbands [will be despised] in their eyes, when it [is] reported. King Ahasuerus commanded Vasti, the queen, to be brought in [front of] him, but she [didn't come.] |
[Also,] the ladies of Persia & Media, [who] have heard [what] queen Vashti [has done,] shall say [the same,] this day to all the king's princes. [Because of this,] much [disrespect & anger] shall also arise. |
If it [pleases] the king, let a royal command be written [in] the laws of the Persians & Medes, that [can't be] altered, That Vashti no [longer comes in front of] king Ahasuerus & let the king give her royal estate to another [who] is better than she. |
And when the king's decree, [that] he shall make [is] published throughout all his empire, ([which is large,]) all the wives shall give honor to their husbands, both to the [powerful & powerless.] [This] saying pleased the king & princes. And the king did according to [what] Memucan [said.] |
For [Ahasuerus] sent letters, That every man should bear rule in his own house. And that it should be published in all the king's provinces, into every province & to [all] people according to their language & writing [there.] |