Esther 1

King Ahasurus maketh a royal feast for all his Lords and Princes, verse 1, &c. Also for all the people at Susan, 4. Queen Vasthi, maketh also a feast for the women, 9. The king commandeth Queen Vasthi to come before him, the princes and all the people, 10. Which she refuseth to do, 12. For which cause he casteth her off, 13. That other women might take example by it, 17. Whence a law is made that every man should bear rule in his own house, 22.

1. Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, [He is called in the Greek Histories (according to the opinion of some) Xerxes the son of Darius Hystaspes, of whom mention is made, Esth.4.6.] (he is that Ahasuerus, which reigned from India unto Ethiopia, [Hebr. Hodu unto Chus] (over) an hundred and seven and twenty countries.)

2. In those days when king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his Kingdom, which was in the Castle of Susan; [Or in the Palace of Susan: Oth. in the Metropolis, or chief city of Susan. It seemeth that the city and the Castle or Palace had but one name. See below chap.3.15. and 4.6.]

3. In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his Princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the greatest lords, [See Dan.1.on verse 3.] and the Governors of the countries were before his face;

4. When he shewed the riches of the glory of his kingdom, [That is, the riches of his glorious kingdom] and the costliness of the ornament of his greatness: many days together, and hundred and fourscore days.

5. Now when those days were fulfilled, the king made a feast unto all the people that were found in the Castle of Susan, [This is more then if it were said, that dwelt at Susan, for there were many present at this feast that dwelt not at Susan,] from the greatest unto the least, seven days together in the court of the garden of the kings Palace.

6. There were white, green and skie-coloured hangings, fastened with fine linen and purple cords, to silver rings, and (to) marble pillars: the beds [Or bed-cases to wit, wherein they lay at the table, and did eat after the manner or custom of the Persians and other nations. Below chap.7. the annot. On verse 8.] were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of Purple-(stone) [Hebr. Bahat; that is Porphyre stone, or marble, red like purple. Oth. red marble] and of marble, and alabaster, and precious stones. [Hebr. Sochereth, This is the name of a precious stone, that is unknown to us. Others take it to be a speckled marble of Divers colours.]

7. And they gave (them) drink in vessels of gold, and the one was otherwise then the other vessel: [Hebr. and the vessels were distinct from the vessels; that is diverse and distinct one from another] and there was much Royal wine [Hebr. wine of the kingdom] according to the kings ability. [Hebr. hand. That is, as it became so mighty a king.]

8. And the drinking was according to the law, (so) that no man did compel: [Oth. LET NO MAN COMPEL.] The meaning is, that they were to sill for every man as much wine as he desired, but not that one man should compel another to pledge whole cups, but that every one should drink as he pleased, and suffer another to do so likewise] for so had the doing straitly commanded [Hebr. founded, or laid the ground-work] to all the great ones of his house, [Hebr. to all (or every) master; or ruler of his house,] that they should do according to every mans will. [Hebr. according to the will (or pleasure) of the man and the man. The meaning is that they should fill for ever man, and suffer every one to drink as much wine as he pleased, and no more]

9. Also Queen Vasthi made a feast for the women, [Hebr. a feast of the women; To wit, with those women whose husbands were feasted by the king. It was not the custom among the Persians for women at feasts to sit at the table with their husbands, and eat with them] in the Royal house, [Hebr. in the house of the kingdom] which king Ahasuerus had.

10. On the seventh day, [This was the last day of that royal feast] when the kings heart was merry; [Hebr. good] with wine, he said unto [that is, he commanded, or he charged] Mehuman, Biztha, Charbona, Bigtha, Zethar, and Charchas, the seven chamberlains, [Or courtiers: and so in sequel. See Gen.37.on vers 36.] serving before the face of the king Ahasuerus.

11. That they should bring Vasthi the Queen before the face of the king, with the Royal Crown: [Hebr. with the crown of the kingdom] to shew the nations and the princes [To wit, which were at Susan] her beauty: [for the king to command such a thing as this, argued that he was moved there unto by drunkenness rather then by any sound or solid reason] for she was of a fair countenance, [Hebr. good of countenance.]

12. But the Queen Vasthi refused to come at the kings word, which (was brought her) by the ministry [Hebr. by the hand, by the ministry, as Exod.9.35. See the annotate. There] of the chamberlains: Then the king was very wroth, and his anger kindled in him.

13. Then the king said unto the wise men, which understood the times, [That is, which were well skilled in the histories ancient times, and know the carriage things full well. Compare 1 Chron.12.32.] for so was the kings business to be done, [That is, to be advised or consulted on] in the presence of those that knew the law and judgement: [intimating that the kings of Persai, in great and weighty affairs did nothing without the advice and approbation of the Princes of the Realm.]

14. Now the next unto him were Carsena, Setthar, Admatha, Tharsis, Mersena, Memuchan, the seven Princes of Persia and Media, [Oth. to wit unto the next unto him, Carsena, etc. Understand, that these Princes sat next unto the king, that they were in highest account or estimation with the king Ezra 7:14. they are called the seven Counsellors of the kings] which saw the kings face, [that is, which were daily with and about the king. See the annotate. 2 Kings 25:19. and Ezra 7:14. When the king was incensed against any man, the same party might not see the kings face, as appeareth below, chap.7.6.] which sat foremost [or highest of all] in the kingdom.)

15. What shall we do with the Queen Vasthi according to the law? [To wit, according to the laws of the Medes and Persians] because she hath not performed the word of the king Ahasuerus [That is, my word and command: he speaketh of himself in the third person] by the ministry of the Chamberlains. [That is, because she would not come when she was called or sent for.]

16. Then said Memuchan before the face of the king and the Princes, [It seemeth that Memuchan passed this sentence being yet at table with king, it having been frequently usual with the Persians to consult about weight affairs in their drink, or compotation] the Queen Vasthi hath not onely offended against the king, but (also) against all the Princes, and against all the nations that are in all the countries of the king Ahasuerus. [intimating, that Vasthi had sinned against the king by act and deed, and against the Princes and people by evil example.]

17. For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, [Or this word that is, the answer of the Queen shall come abroad, &c. As if he should say, the rumour, or the report of this deed, or answer will spread abroad, and will come to the ears and hearing of all women throughout the whole kingdom. See verse 18.] so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be said, The king Ahasuerus said, that they should bring Vasthi the Queen before his face, but she came not.

18. Likewise shall the Princesses of Persia and Media say (so) this day unto all the kings Princes, when they shall hear (of) this deed of the Queen; [See Verse 17.] And there will be contempt and wrath enough. [as if he should say, hence this will arise, that women will contemn and despise their husbands, at which men will be then incensed and enraged against their wives, and so there will be continual dissension, discord and distaste between man and wise.]

19. If it seem good unto the king, [Hebr. if it be good with the king] let royal command go forth. [That is be published, or openly proclaimed] from him, [that is, in his name. Heb. from his presence, or from before his face,] which shall be written in the ,laws of the Persians and Medes, and that no man transgress. [Oth. that none be revoked. So also below chap.3. verse 3. Or and it be irrevocable] That Vasthi come no (more) in before the face of king Ahasuerus, and let the king give her kingdom [or royal dignity, royal state] unto her neighbour [or unto her companion; that is unto another] that is better then she.

20. When the kings command, which he shall make in all his kingdom, (for it is great) [Or although it be great] shall be heard: then all wives shall give to their husband honor, [or perform honor to them, that is, have them in honor and esteem] from the greatest unto the least.

21. Now this word [That is, this counsel or advice] was good in the eyes of the king, and the Princes. And the king did according to the word of Memuchan.

22. And he [To wit the king] sent letters unto all the kings countries, [Oth. there were letters sent unto, etc.] unto every country, [Hebr. unto country and country, that is, unto all the Governors and Rulers of every country] according to the writing thereof, and to every people, [Hebr. and to people to people] after their language: That every man should bear rule in his (own) house: and speak according to the language of his people. [Understand withal, and not the speech or language of his wife. It is a token of Lordship, or mastership, for a man to use or speak his own language, and not to be compelled to alter his tongue or language to pleasure another. See Dan.1.4. The Romans caused the Latine tongue to be brought into the Provinces which they had conquered, and the laws to be published in the same language. Oth. now they spake this they (every man) according to the language of his people; so that every one might be able understand it.]