Esther 1:1–22 (May 12, 2025)

The King's Banquets

1 Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, 2 in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel, 3 in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him, 4 while he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days. 5 And when these days were completed, the king gave for all the people present in Susa the citadel, both great and small, a feast lasting for seven days in the court of the garden of the king's palace. 6 There were white cotton curtains and violet hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rods[a] and marble pillars, and also couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and precious stones. 7 Drinks were served in golden vessels, vessels of different kinds, and the royal wine was lavished according to the bounty of the king. 8 And drinking was according to this edict: “There is no compulsion.” For the king had given orders to all the staff of his palace to do as each man desired. 9 Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women in the palace that belonged to King Ahasuerus.

Queen Vashti's Refusal

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,[b] 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,[c] 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.

“The Hidden Hand of Providence”

The Book of Esther begins not with prayer or miracles, but with a lavish royal feast and a scandal in the Persian court. God’s name is never mentioned, and yet His fingerprints are all over the narrative. In this opening chapter, the God who seems silent is, in fact, setting the stage for salvation.

1. Who is GOD?

The Hidden Ruler over All Kingdoms

1:1–3

“Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel, in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him, while he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days.”

King Ahasuerus sat atop the most powerful empire of his time. The grandeur of his kingdom is unmistakable. And yet, unknown to him, he is merely playing a role in a far greater script. The true King—God Himself—is working through history, even in a pagan palace, to accomplish His redemptive plan (cf. Daniel 2:21; Proverbs 21:1).

2. What is our GUILT?

Power Without Wisdom Leads to Ruin

1:10–12

“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, 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. 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.”

This is the portrait of corrupt power: intoxicated with pride, demanding honor, and reacting with rage when opposed. Queen Vashti’s refusal, while courageous in its own way, reveals the tension within a world that treats people as possessions. The deeper issue is the prideful heart of man that refuses to submit to the wisdom and ways of God (cf. Genesis 11:4; James 4:1–3).

3. How is the GOSPEL revealed (foreshadowed or reviewed)?

God Prepares Salvation Before We Even See the Need

Esther 1:19

“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.”

At first glance, this is simply political maneuvering. But in God’s providence, this royal decree opens the path for Esther—a Jewish woman in exile—to ascend to the throne. God is not absent; He is preparing a deliverer long before the threat arises. This is how the gospel works: the Lamb was slain “before the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8), and Christ came “when the fullness of time had come” (Galatians 4:4).

4. How is GRACE shown as reality?

God Works Through Flawed Systems and Sinful People

Esther 1:20–21

“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.’ This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did as Memucan proposed.”

The decree that follows is not one of wisdom or righteousness—it is an attempt to protect male authority through fear. And yet, God does not abandon His plan. He works through imperfect laws, broken people, and secular power to accomplish His will. This is grace: not that the world is good, but that God can bring good out of it (Romans 8:28; Genesis 50:20).

5. GRATITUDE

Will You Trust the God Who Is Working Behind the Curtain?

• Though God’s name is never mentioned, how might this chapter reveal His active presence in a seemingly godless world?

  
  

• In what areas of your life does God feel absent right now—and how might He be silently preparing something redemptive?

  
  

• How does this passage challenge your understanding of power, influence, and true authority?

  
  

• What would change if you truly believed that even in confusion or crisis, God is quietly moving the pieces for His purpose?

  
  

• Are you willing to wait patiently and live faithfully, even when you cannot see what God is doing?