Verses 1-8, “Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus (this was the Ahasuerus who reigned over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, from India to Ethiopia), in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the citadel, that in the third year of his reign he made a feast for all his officials and servants—the powers of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the princes of the provinces being before him— when he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the splendor of his excellent majesty for many days, one hundred and eighty days in all. And when these days were completed, the king made a feast lasting seven days for all the people who were present in Shushan the citadel, from great to small, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace. There were white and blue linen curtains fastened with cords of fine linen and purple on silver rods and marble pillars; and the couches were of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of alabaster, turquoise, and white and black marble. And they served drinks in golden vessels, each vessel being different from the other, with royal wine in abundance, according to the generosity of the king. In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had ordered all the officers of his household, that they should do according to each man’s pleasure.”
King Ahasuerus was in the third year of his broad-reaching reign, ruling over 127 provinces. The timing of this chapter is presumed to fall after Ezra, but before Nehemiah's return to Jerusalem.
Somehow, the king thought it a good idea to show off his glory and splendor for one hundred and eighty days. There probably wasn't anything in the kingdom left to see. After this, he made a seven day feast for his servants and officials, and the princes and nobility of Persia and Media. Most likely the king was motivated by pride. We need not to trust in our wealth and possessions, nor take pride in them, knowing it could all be gone in an instant. I Timothy 6:17, Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
We know that this type of display did not work out so good for Hezekiah, King of Judah...everything he displayed was all taken away. II Kings 20:14-18, “Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?” So Hezekiah said, “They came from a far country, from Babylon.” And he said, “What have they seen in your house?” So Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.” Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord: ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the Lord . ‘And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ ”
Verses 9-15, “Queen Vashti also made a feast for the women in the royal palace which belonged to King Ahasuerus. On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing her royal crown, in order to show her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful to behold. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs; therefore the king was furious, and his anger burned within him. Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times (for this was the king’s manner toward all who knew law and justice, those closest to him being Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who had access to the king’s presence, and who ranked highest in the kingdom): 'What shall we do to Queen Vashti, according to law, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus brought to her by the eunuchs?' ”
The king sent command through the eunuchs to Queen Vashti, to present herself in her royal crown before the king's gathering. After all, he had shown off all of his other possessions, how much more important is the queen? Although she was physically beautiful to behold, a good wife is a crown to her husband. Proverbs 12:4, “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.” Unfortunately for Ahasuerus, her refusal to his request brought him embarrassment and shame in front of the other nobles. No matter how pretty you are on the outside, the inner heart condition is what's important. I Peter 3:3-4, “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”
Verses 16-22, “And Memucan answered before the king and the princes: 'Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes, and all the people who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. For the queen’s behavior will become known to all women, so that they will despise their husbands in their eyes, when they report, “King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in before him, but she did not come.” This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media will say to all the king’s officials that they have heard of the behavior of the queen. Thus there will be excessive contempt and wrath. If it pleases the king, let a royal decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it will not be altered, that Vashti shall come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she. When the king’s decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will honor their husbands, both great and small.' And the reply pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan. Then he sent letters to all the king’s provinces, to each province in its own script, and to every people in their own language, that each man should be master in his own house, and speak in the language of his own people.”
Because the queen’s behavior toward her husband (the king) was wrong, and it set a terrible example for all other women, her position was taken from her. She would no longer be allowed in the presence of the king. A husband needs to have authority in his own house, and it is very important for the wife to support that. Therefore, the king sent letters to all the provinces, in their own language, saying just that. Even though our husbands may not be perfect, and I'm sure King Arhaseurus was no peach, we need to do all that we can to preserve their reputation. Proverbs 31:23, [A virtuous wife...] “Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.” After all, tearing down his reputation will not be good for you either.
In this chapter, King Ahasuerus reigned over 127 different provinces. He was supposedly king during the gap between Ezra and Nehemiah. The temple in Jerusalem had most likely been rebuilt, but it would be years later when Nehemiah would go rebuild the walls. Ahasuerus was claimed to be Xerxes 1, and his successor would be the king that Nehemiah served, and the one who also gave permission for him to go back to Jerusalem.
ReplyDeleteIn this chapter, Ahasuerus was throwing a huge feast, and had two of them, while his wife, Queen Vashti, three a feast for the women. Ahasuerus wanted do display everything he had as king, all his possessions, the kingdom, and even his wife. It's dangerous for rulers to become prideful and think that they are great because of their possessions, etc. God warns that it is extremely difficult for a rich man to enter into heaven! Matthew 19:23-24- "Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Praise God if He blesses us with possessions and money, etc, but may we never let those come before Him, and may we never forget who gave them to us in the first place. We need to remain humble before God, our maker!
When Queen Vashti wouldn't appear before the king and the other members of the party, He was furious and decreed that she would no longer be queen. Someone would replace her, and this was eventually going to be Esther. Wives are called to submit to their husbands, ultimately submitting to God! Ephesians 5:22-24- "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything." King Ahasuerus was worried about other women in the kingdom rebelling against their husbands as well, which is why he got rid of the Queen.
In today's day and age, it has become ok for women to rebel against their husband, and ok for them to run the show. Just because our modern world accepts this, does not mean it is right!! Men are called to be the authority in the house, one in whom the wife and children must submit. It is their job to lead their house, and not back down and let the wife run everything. I Corinthians 11:3- "But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God."