January 17 Daily Discovery
January 17 Daily Discovery
Read Esther Chapter 1
Pride Brings Contention
The proverb says, "Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. (Prov. 13:10) Pride is at the root of most of our problems.
It was the original sin of Lucifer that resulted in his expulsion from heaven to earth. (Isa. 14:12-15) It is also the source of almost every conflict that we have in all of our relationships.
In this chapter, we see the pride of the king in wanting to vainfully show off his beautiful queen to his drunken leaders as well as the pride of the queen in refusing to bow to the king's request.
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 Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.
12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
~ Esther 1:10-12
A 180 Day Open Palace
In his third year as king, for 180 days, Ahasuerus entertained all the nobles and princes of all 127 provinces of the Medo-Persian empire over which he reigned in Shusan the palace.
He was showing off how wealthy and powerful and great and wonderful he was.
Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)
2 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
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 nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
4 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.
Esther 1:1-4
A 7 Day Court of the Garden Feast
After the 180 day open house, it was time for the final part: the lavish feast in the palace garden.
It was gloriously decorated for the occasion. Beautiful hangings all about, a multi-colored marble floor and the reclining and relaxing beds were made of gold and silver.
They served the drinks in custom-made silver and gold vessels.
But you did not HAVE to drink! Sobriety was tolerated!
5 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;
6 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
7 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
8 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.
~ Esther 1:5-8
A Feast for Women in the King's House
For the queen, this was her home. She was not a ruling queen, she was queen because she was the king's wife. She would not have been involved politically. She would not be a regular at the court of the king.
Her party was obviously approved by the king and he was aware of it if he had not orchestrated it as well. As his 7 day party was ending, so was the queen's.
9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
~ Esther 1:9
While the king was reveling with the leaders of his empire, the queen was conducting her own party- just for the girls.
It would have been elegant and lavish and probably lewd as well.
The Grand Finale Flop
At the conclusion of all of the partying, for the grand finale, the king decided that he would show off his wife, the queen. He saved the very best for last.
His 7 day feast was the grand finale of the open house and now there was to be the grand finale of the grand finale!
The king decided to call the queen up for show and tell and sent messengers to her party.
Maybe she was drunk as well. This may help to answer why she was foolish enough to tell the king NO!
This was a big mistake. He was "merry with wine". After eating and drinking for seven days straight, he was well-inebriated.
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 Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.
12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
~ Ezra 1:10-12
The Queen is Replaced
13 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment:
14 And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)
15 What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
17 For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.
18 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.
19 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.
20 And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.
21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
22 For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.
~ Esther 1:13-22
She is fortunate that the king's advisors (the seven top princes of the Medo-persian empire) were subdued. They could have easily suggested that she be executed.
Instead, she loses her position and her estate (position) was going to be given so someone better.
God is at work during this process and He will work all things together for the good of those that love God and are the called according to His purpose. He is going to provide His own replacement for Vashti, a young Hebrew girl named Esther.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose.
~ Rom. 8:28
--------------
Continue Your Search
In this chapter, do you see any: Commands to Obey, Warnings to Heed, Promises to Claim, Examples to Follow, Vices to Avoid, Praises to Emulate, Prayers to Use, Principles by which to Live, Questions to Ask or Actions to Take?
Follow
