Drunkenness: Ahasuerus
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Drunkenness is a recurring theme in the Bible, often depicted as leading to poor judgment and sinful behavior. One notable instance of drunkenness is found in the account of King Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes I, in the Book of Esther. Ahasuerus was the king of Persia, ruling over an expansive empire from India to Cush, comprising 127 provinces (Esther 1:1).

The narrative of Ahasuerus's drunkenness is set during a lavish banquet he hosted in the third year of his reign. This feast lasted 180 days and was followed by a seven-day banquet for all the people present in the citadel of Susa, from the greatest to the least (Esther 1:3-5). The opulence of the event is described in detail, highlighting the king's wealth and the grandeur of his court.

On the seventh day of the feast, "when the heart of the king was merry with wine," Ahasuerus commanded his seven eunuchs to bring Queen Vashti before him, wearing her royal crown, to display her beauty to the people and officials (Esther 1:10-11). However, Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command, delivered by the eunuchs, which led to a crisis in the royal court.

Ahasuerus's decision, influenced by his inebriated state, resulted in a significant turning point in the narrative. His anger burned within him, and he consulted with his wise men, who advised him to issue a royal decree that Vashti was never again to enter his presence. This decree also stipulated that her royal position be given to another who was more worthy (Esther 1:12-19).

The king's actions, driven by the influence of wine, set off a chain of events that ultimately led to Esther, a Jewish woman, becoming queen. This change in queenship played a crucial role in the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to annihilate them, orchestrated by Haman, an official in the king's court.

The account of Ahasuerus's drunkenness serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of excessive drinking and the potential for impaired judgment. It illustrates how a moment of indulgence can lead to far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the individual but also those around them. The account underscores the biblical admonition against drunkenness, as seen in passages such as Proverbs 20:1, which warns, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise" .

In the broader biblical context, drunkenness is consistently portrayed as a vice that leads to moral and spiritual decline. The account of Ahasuerus is a vivid example of how alcohol can cloud judgment and result in decisions that have lasting impacts, both personally and within the larger community.
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Esther 1:10,11
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,
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Library

Man's Chief End
... on the earth.' God will one day ask such a question as King Ahasuerus did, Esther
6 ... of anger with me.' So is a minister who preaches against drunkenness, yet he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 mans chief end.htm

The Comforts Belonging to Mourners
... A man's drunkenness is to be repented of; his uncleanness is to be repented of ... We
read that King Ahasuerus made a feast for his princes that lasted an hundred ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/11 the comforts belonging to.htm

Homilies on the Statues.
... Dove, an example of simplicity, [927]420. Dress, finery in, how cured, [928]450;
not to be despised or admired, [929]466. Drunkenness, [930]335. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on the statues.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... Secondly, Take heed that thy heart be not overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness,
and the cares of this life, and so that day come upon thee unawares ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

The Greatness of the Soul,
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the greatness of the soul.htm

Resources
Is being drunk in the Spirit a biblical experience? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about drinking alcohol / wine? Is it a sin for a Christian to drink alcohol / wine? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of debauchery? | GotQuestions.org

Drunkenness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Drunkenness

Drunkenness is a Work of the Flesh

Drunkenness is Debasing

Drunkenness is Inflaming

Drunkenness: Ahasuerus

Drunkenness: Avoid Those Given To

Drunkenness: Belshazzar

Drunkenness: Benhadad

Drunkenness: Ben-Hadad and his Thirty-Two Confederate Kings

Drunkenness: Caution Against

Drunkenness: Corinthians

Drunkenness: Denunciations Against: Those Given To

Drunkenness: Denunciations Against: Those Who Encourage

Drunkenness: Elah

Drunkenness: Excludes from Heaven

Drunkenness: False Teachers often Addicted To

Drunkenness: Falsely Accused of Hannah

Drunkenness: Falsely Accused of Jesus

Drunkenness: Falsely Accused of The Apostles

Drunkenness: Figurative

Drunkenness: Folly of Yielding To

Drunkenness: Forbidden

Drunkenness: General Scriptures Concerning

Drunkenness: Leads to Contempt of God's Works

Drunkenness: Leads to Error

Drunkenness: Leads to Poverty

Drunkenness: Leads to Rioting and Wantonness

Drunkenness: Leads to Scorning

Drunkenness: Leads to Strife

Drunkenness: Leads to Woe and Sorrow

Drunkenness: Lot

Drunkenness: Nabal

Drunkenness: Noah

Drunkenness: Overcharges the Heart

Drunkenness: Punishment of

Drunkenness: Takes Away the Heart

Drunkenness: The Wicked Addicted To

Drunkenness: Uriah

Related Terms

Carousing (4 Occurrences)

Orgies (4 Occurrences)

Licentiousness (10 Occurrences)

Revellings (2 Occurrences)

Envying (8 Occurrences)

Debauchery (9 Occurrences)

Satiety (12 Occurrences)

Drink (414 Occurrences)

Strong (736 Occurrences)

Envy (56 Occurrences)

Drunk (84 Occurrences)

Drunken (38 Occurrences)

Quarreling (17 Occurrences)

Quarrelling (5 Occurrences)

Noisy (14 Occurrences)

Nadab (21 Occurrences)

Nobility (5 Occurrences)

Nabal (18 Occurrences)

Unholy (23 Occurrences)

Unexpectedly (5 Occurrences)

Unawares (14 Occurrences)

Ourselves (129 Occurrences)

Overcharged (1 Occurrence)

Overcharge (1 Occurrence)

Loaded (21 Occurrences)

Lustful (10 Occurrences)

Licence (3 Occurrences)

Lasciviousness (9 Occurrences)

Weighed (44 Occurrences)

Weighted (15 Occurrences)

Warned (63 Occurrences)

Warn (35 Occurrences)

Worries (6 Occurrences)

Indulging (4 Occurrences)

Immorality (38 Occurrences)

Inherit (98 Occurrences)

Image-worship (1 Occurrence)

Intoxication (1 Occurrence)

Forewarn (9 Occurrences)

Freemen (17 Occurrences)

Forewarned (15 Occurrences)

Revelling (1 Occurrence)

Reveling (3 Occurrences)

Revelry (8 Occurrences)

Revelings (1 Occurrence)

Envyings (3 Occurrences)

Emulation (5 Occurrences)

Eyes (6285 Occurrences)

Dissipation (4 Occurrences)

Dissension (18 Occurrences)

Decently (2 Occurrences)

Daylight (24 Occurrences)

Drunkennesses (2 Occurrences)

Murders (7 Occurrences)

Mad (22 Occurrences)

Madness (13 Occurrences)

Promiscuity (6 Occurrences)

Pursuing (50 Occurrences)

Properly (11 Occurrences)

Broad (113 Occurrences)

Becomingly (3 Occurrences)

Bacchus

Conduct (93 Occurrences)

Chambering (1 Occurrence)

Cares (28 Occurrences)

Appalment (10 Occurrences)

Anxieties (5 Occurrences)

Accountability

Appropriate (19 Occurrences)

Amethyst (3 Occurrences)

Awake (83 Occurrences)

Souls (114 Occurrences)

Soberness (2 Occurrences)

Self-indulgence (4 Occurrences)

Suddenly (87 Occurrences)

Surfeiting (1 Occurrence)

Sober (18 Occurrences)

Sacrificial (12 Occurrences)

Sick (117 Occurrences)

Drunkenness is Inflaming
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