THE following event took place during the days of the Ahasuerus who ruled from India to Ethiopia – over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces – from his palace in the fortress of Susa:

In the third year of his reign, he made a banquet for all his servants, during what time he showed off how rich his reputable kingdom, and how glorious his excellent majesty, was, for one hundred and eighty days. Present there were dignitaries of Persia and Media – nobles and rulers of provinces.

To round it off, the king organized a seven-day banquet for his subjects working in the fortress, from the highest rank to the lowest, in a yard of the garden in his palace. 

White and violet linen hangings were fastened with fine white and purple linen cords to silver rods on marble columns. Gold and silver couches were arranged on a mosaic pavement of red feldspar, marble, mother-of-pearl, and precious stones.

Beverages were served in an array of gold goblets, each with a different design. Royal wine flowed freely, according to the king’s bounty,

and no restraint was placed on the drinking. The king had ordered every wine steward in his palace to serve as much as each person wanted. 

Queen Vashti also threw a party for women of King Ahasuerus’s palace.

On the seventh day, when he was on high spirits, after taking wine, Ahasuerus commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who personally served him, 

to bring Queen Vashti before him with her royal crown. He wanted to show off her beauty to the people and the officials, because she was very beautiful

But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command through his eunuchs. The king became furious; his anger burned within him.

Consequently, the king consulted wise men who understood times, because he usually conferred with experts in law and justice. 

The most trusted ones were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. They were the seven officials of Persia and Media who had personal access to the king and occupied highest positions in the kingdom. 

The king asked, “According to law, what should be done to Queen Vashti for refusing to obey King Ahasuerus’ command that was delivered by the eunuchs?”

Memucan said in the presence of the king and his officials, “Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king, but all the officials and the men in every one of King Ahasuerus’s provinces. 

Every woman will soon hear about the queen’s action and this will cause them to despise their husbands; they will say, ‘King Ahasuerus ordered Queen Vashti brought before him, but she did not come.’ 

Even today, the noble women of Persia and Media who hear about the queen’s act will say the same thing to all officials of the king, and this will result in more contempt and fury.

If it is acceptable to the king, he should personally issue a royal decree. Let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media, so that it cannot be revoked: Vashti is not to enter King Ahasuerus’s presence, and her royal position is to be given to another woman more worthy than she.

The decree the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom, so all women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.”

The king and his counselors bought into the idea, and the king took action accordingly. 

He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, proclaiming in each people’s language that every man should wield authority in his household.