Queen Vashti
Queen Vashti was the wife of King Xerxes, also known as Ahasuerus. Her role as queen placed her in a position of influence and responsibility within the Persian Empire. Vashti's actions in the narrative set the stage for Esther's rise to prominence. Her refusal to appear before the king later in the chapter is pivotal, leading to her removal and Esther's eventual selection as queen. Vashti's character is often discussed in terms of her dignity and the cultural expectations of women in ancient Persia.

also gave a banquet
The banquet hosted by Vashti parallels the grand feast given by King Xerxes for his officials and servants. Banquets were significant social and political events in ancient Persia, often used to display wealth, power, and hospitality. Vashti's banquet for the women suggests a separate sphere of influence and social interaction, highlighting the gender dynamics of the time. This separation of male and female gatherings was customary in Persian culture.

for the women
The gathering of women at Vashti's banquet indicates the presence of a distinct social structure within the royal court. Women of the court, likely including noblewomen and wives of officials, would have attended. This setting underscores the importance of women in the social fabric of the empire, even if their roles were often behind the scenes. The mention of women here also foreshadows the significant role Esther will play in the narrative.

in the royal palace
The royal palace of King Xerxes was located in Susa, one of the capitals of the Persian Empire. Archaeological findings have uncovered the grandeur of the palace complex, which included impressive halls and gardens. The setting of the palace emphasizes the opulence and power of the Persian monarchy. It serves as a backdrop for the unfolding drama, highlighting the contrast between the earthly power of the king and the divine providence that guides the events in the Book of Esther.

of King Xerxes
King Xerxes, known historically as Xerxes I, reigned over the Persian Empire from 486 to 465 BC. His rule is marked by ambitious military campaigns, including the famous invasion of Greece. In the biblical narrative, Xerxes is portrayed as a powerful yet impulsive ruler, whose decisions are influenced by his advisors. The mention of Xerxes situates the story within a specific historical context, providing insight into the political and cultural environment of the time. The king's actions and decrees play a crucial role in the unfolding of God's plan for the Jewish people in the story of Esther.

1. Queen Vashti
The queen of Persia and wife of King Xerxes. She is known for her refusal to appear before the king and his guests, which sets the stage for Esther's rise to queenship.

2. King Xerxes
The Persian king, also known as Ahasuerus, who ruled over a vast empire. His decision-making and the events of his reign are central to the Book of Esther.

3. The Royal Palace
The setting for the events of Esther 1:9, located in Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire. It is a place of opulence and power.

4. The Banquet
A separate feast hosted by Queen Vashti for the women, parallel to the king's banquet for the men. This event highlights the cultural norms and gender roles of the time.

5. The Persian Empire
The vast empire over which King Xerxes ruled, encompassing many peoples and cultures. The political and social dynamics of this empire are crucial to understanding the context of the Book of Esther.Courage and Conviction
Vashti's refusal to appear before the king demonstrates personal conviction and courage. Believers can learn the importance of standing firm in their values, even when it is unpopular or risky.

Cultural Norms vs. Godly Principles
The cultural expectations of Vashti's time were challenged by her actions. Christians are called to discern and sometimes challenge cultural norms that conflict with biblical principles.

The Role of Women
Vashti's account invites reflection on the role of women in society and the church. It encourages believers to value and respect the contributions and dignity of women.

Consequences of Actions
Vashti's decision had significant consequences, both for herself and the kingdom. This serves as a reminder that our choices can have far-reaching impacts.

God's Sovereignty
Although God is not mentioned in this verse, the unfolding events in Esther demonstrate His sovereignty and providence. Believers can trust that God is at work, even in challenging circumstances.(9) Vashti.--According to Gesenius, the name Vashti means beautiful. Among the Persians it was customary that one wife of the sovereign should be supreme over the rest, and her we sometimes find exercising an authority which contrasts strangely with the degraded position of women generally. Such a one was Atossa, the mother of Xerxes. Vashti, too, before her deposition, was evidently the queen par excel. lence. We find, however, that the name given by the Greek writers to the queen of Xerxes was Amestris, of whose cruelty and dissolute life numerous details are given us by Herodotus and others. There seem good grounds for believing that she was the wife of Xerxes before he became king, which if established would of itself be sufficient to disprove the theory of some who would identify Esther and Amestris. Moreover, Herodotus tells us (7:61. 82) that Amestris was the cousin of Xerxes, the daughter of his father's brother; and although we cannot view Esther as of a specially high type of womanhood, still it would be most unjust to identify her with one whose character is presented to us in most unlovely guise. Bishop Wordsworth suggests that Amestris was a wife who had great influence with Xerxes between the fall of Vashti and the rise of Esther. If, however, Amestris was really the chief wife before Xerxes came to the throne, this could hardly be, and the time allowed seems much too scanty, seeing that in it falls the invasion of Greece. Or, lastly, we may with Canon Rawlinson say that Vashti is Amestris (the two names being different reproductions of the Persian, or Vashti being a sort of title) and that the deposition was a temporary one.

The women.--There should be no article.

Verse 9. - Vashti, the queen. The only wife of Xerxes known to the Greeks was Amestris, the daughter of Otanes, one of the seven conspirators (Herod., 7:61). Xerxes probably took her to wife as soon as he was of marriageable age, and before he ascended the throne had a son by her, who in his seventh year was grown up (ibid. 9:108). It would seem to be certain that if Ahasuerus is Xerxes, Vashti must be Amestris. The names themselves are not very remote, since will readily interchange with v; but Vashti might possibly represent not the real name of the queen, but a favourite epithet, such as vahista, "sweetest." Made a feast for the women. Men and women did not take their meals together in Persia unless in the privacy of domestic life (Brisson, 'De Regn. Pers.,' 2. pp. 273-276). If the women, therefore, were to partake in a festivity, it was necessary that they should be entertained separately. In the royal house. In the gynaeceum or harem, which was probably on the southern side of the great pillared hall at Susa (Fergusson).

CHAPTER 1:10-22 THE DISGRACE OF VASHTI (Esther 1:10-22). On the seventh day of the feast "to all in Shushan" (ver. 5), the king having excited himself with drink, took it into his head to send a message to Vashti, requiring her to make her appearance in the banquet of the men, since he desired to exhibit her beauty to the assembled guests, as "she was fair to look on" (ver. 11). His design must have been to present her unveiled to the coarse admiration of a multitude of semi-drunken revellers, in order that they might envy him the possession of so lovely a wife. Such a proceeding was a gross breach of Persian etiquette, and a cruel outrage upon one whom he above all men was bound to protect. Vashti, therefore, declined to obey (ver. 12). Preferring the risk of death to dishonour, she braved the anger of her despotic lord, and sent him back a message by his chamberlains that she would not come. We can well understand that to an absolute monarch such a rebuff, in the face of his whole court and of some hundreds or thousands of assembled guests, must have been exasperating in the extreme. At the moment when he had thought to glorify himself by a notable display of his omnipotence, he was foiled, defeated, made a laughing-stock to all Susa. "Therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him." It is to his credit that, being thus fiercely enraged, he did not proceed to violence, but so far restrained himself as to refer the matter to the judgment of others, and ask the "seven princes" the question, "What is to be done according to law unto queen Vashti, for not performing the commandment of the king?" (ver. 15). The advice of the princes, uttered by one of their body (vers. 16-20), and assented to by the remainder (ver. 21), was, that Yashti should be degraded from the position of queen, and her place given to another. This sentence was supported by specious arguments based upon expediency, and ignoring entirely the outrageous character of the king's command, which was of course the real, and sole, justification of Vashti's disobedience. It was treated as a simple question of the wife's duty to obey her husband, and the husband's right to enforce submission. Ahasuerus, as might be expected, received the decision of his obsequious counsellors with great satisfaction, and forthwith sent letters into all the provinces of his vast empire, announcing what had been done, and requiring wives everywhere to submit themselves unreservedly to the absolute rule of their lord (ver. 22).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Queen
הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה (ham·mal·kāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4436: Queen -- a queen

Vashti
וַשְׁתִּ֣י (waš·tî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2060: Vashti -- queen of Pers

also
גַּ֚ם (gam)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

gave
עָשְׂתָ֖ה (‘ā·śə·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

a banquet
מִשְׁתֵּ֣ה (miš·têh)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4960: Drink, drinking, a banquet, feast

for the women
נָשִׁ֑ים (nā·šîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

in the royal
הַמַּלְכ֔וּת (ham·mal·ḵūṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4438: Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom

palace
בֵּ֚ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of King
לַמֶּ֥לֶךְ (lam·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Xerxes.
אֲחַשְׁוֵרֽוֹשׁ׃ (’ă·ḥaš·wê·rō·wōš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 325: Ahasuerus -- king of Persia


Esther 1:9 NIV
Esther 1:9 NLT
Esther 1:9 ESV
Esther 1:9 NASB
Esther 1:9 KJV

Esther 1:9 BibleApps.com
Esther 1:9 Biblia Paralela
Esther 1:9 Chinese Bible
Esther 1:9 French Bible
Esther 1:9 Catholic Bible

OT History: Esther 1:9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast (Est Esth. Es)