Esther Chapter 1

Feast of Ahasuerus

1:1 Now it so happened in the days of Ahasuerus, (he is Ahasuerus who reigned, from India (Hodu) to Ethiopia (Cush), over one hundred and twenty seven provinces:)
1:2 in those days, when the king Ahasuerus (probably Xerxes) sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
1:3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast for all his officials and servants* According to the king’s calculations, the prophetic 75 year deadline for the end of Jewish exile (Jeremiah 25:11-12) passed, yet Babylonia and its successors, Persia and Media, had not been desolated, and the Jews had not returned to their land. Therefore convinced that his throne was secure, he made a lavish feast(Megillah 11b) – From the Artscroll English Tanach; the army of Persia (Iran) and Media, the nobles and officials of the provinces, were present:
1:4 When he displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, one hundred and eighty days.
1:5 And when these days were fulfilled, the king made a seven day feast for all the people who were present in Shushan (or Susa meaning lily) the palace, great and small alike, in the courtyard of the garden of the king’s palace;
1:6 There were [curtains of] white cotton and violet wool, held with threads of fine linen and purple wool on silver rings and pillars of white marble: the couches of gold and silver, on a mosaic of colorful marble flooring.
1:7 And they gave out drinks in vessels of gold, the vessels being different from one another, and royal wine in abundance, according to the King’s wealth.
1:8 And the drinking was according to the law; there was no intimidation: because the king given orders to all the staff of his palace to do as each man desired.
1:9 Queen Vashti (meaning beautiful) also made a feast for the women in the royal house that belonged to king Ahasuerus (meaning I will be silent and poor).

Vashti Refuses to come

1:10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he said to Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona (or Harbonah), Bigtha (meaning in the wine-press), and Abagtha (meaning God-given), Zethar (meaning star), and Carcas (meaning severe), the seven eunuchs who attended King Ahasuerus,
1:11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king wearing the royal crown, to show off to the people and the officials her beauty. Because she was beautiful to look on.
1:12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command [carried] by his eunuchs. At this the king became enraged, This made the king furious.

Vashti’s punishment

1:13 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:
1:14 And those closest to him [were] Carshena (meaning illustrious), Shethar (meaning a star), Admatha (meaning a testimony to them), Tarshish (or Tharshish), Meres (meaning lofty), Marsena (meaning worthy), [and] Memucan (meaning dignified), the seven officers of Persia (Iran) and Media, who had access to the king, and who sat first in the kingdom; )
1:15 According to the law what should be done with Queen Vashti , because she hasn’t obeyed the command of the King Ahasuerus [carried] by the eunuchs?
1:16 And Memucan said in the presence of the king and the officials, not only has Queen Vashti done wrong to the king , but also to all the officials, and to all the people who [are] in all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus.
1:17 Because of this act of the Queen’s will become known to all women, causing them to look with contempt at their husbands, since they will say King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she wouldn’t come.
1:18 And this day the princesses of Persia (Iran) and Media who have heard the queen’s conduct will mention it to all the king’s officials, and there will be no end of contempt and strife.
1:19 If it pleases his majesty, let him issue a royal order, and let it be written into the laws of Persia (Iran) and Media so that it can’t be revoked, that Vashti can never again appear before King Ahasuerus. And let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she is.
1:20 Ten the king’s decree which he will proclaim shall throughout all his kingdom, (because it is great,) all wives will give honor their husbands,  great and small alike.
1:21 The proposal pleased the king and the officials; and the king did as Memucan proposed:
1:22 He sent letters to all the king’s provinces, into every province according to its own script, and to every people in its own language, so that every man should be ruling in his house, and speak the language of his own people.