June 1, 2025, Ester 1:10-22
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 Carkas, the
seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, 11 to
bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown, in order to
show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was lovely to look
at. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the
king's command delivered by the eunuchs. At this the king became enraged, and
his anger burned within him.
13 Then the
king said to the wise men who knew the times (for this was the king's
procedure toward all who were versed in law and judgment, 14 the
men next to him being Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena,
and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the
king's face, and sat first in the kingdom): 15 “According
to the law, what is to be done to Queen Vashti, because she has not performed
the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?” 16 Then
Memucan said in the presence of the king and the officials, “Not only against
the king has Queen Vashti done wrong, but also against all the officials and
all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 For
the queen's behavior will be made known to all women, causing them to look at
their husbands with contempt, since they will say, ‘King Ahasuerus
commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, and she did not come.’ 18 This
very day the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen's
behavior will say the same to all the king's officials, and there will be
contempt and wrath in plenty. 19 If it please the
king, let a royal order go out from him, and let it be written among the laws
of the Persians and the Medes so that it may not be repealed, that Vashti
is never again to come before King Ahasuerus. And let the king give her royal
position to another who is better than she. 20 So
when the decree made by the king is proclaimed throughout all his kingdom, for
it is vast, all women will give honor to their husbands, high and low
alike.” 21 This advice pleased the king and the
princes, and the king did as Memucan proposed. 22 He
sent letters to all the royal provinces, to every province in its own
script and to every people in its own language, that every man be master in his
own household and speak according to the language of his people.
These verses give an
account of Queen Vashti’s refusal to dance before the king and his men at his
feast when he summoned. The result shows the king’s outrage and ultimate
divorce from the queen. Further, the king sent out declarations that every man
should be the master of their households.
Queen Vashti refused to be objectified by the king. What a bold act in the
culture of those days. Women being objectified continues today. It’s difficult
to stand against the tide when our values and morals are challenged.
How will you support
girls, young adults and women who face these situations?
Let’s join in prayer for
women finding themselves victimized and ask God’s protection as well as wisdom
to free themselves.
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