Parties, Providence And A Persian WifeSample

Just a few years before the battle with the 300 Spartans took place, before the invasion of Greece, and before Xerxes’ god-like status became challenged at all, he did what most kings do. He threw a party. Scripture tells us this was a spectacular party. It was also a costly party. And a long party. This party lasted six entire months.

This unusual party, as well as the subsequent after-party lasting seven days, is best described in the Bible’s retelling of it,

He displayed the glorious wealth of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness for a total of 180 days. At the end of this time, the king held a week-long banquet in the garden courtyard of the royal palace for all the people, from the greatest to the least, who were present in the fortress of Susa. 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. Drinks were served in an array of gold goblets, each with a different design. Royal wine flowed freely, according to the king’s bounty. The drinking was according to royal decree: “There are no restrictions.” The king had ordered every wine steward in his household to serve whatever each person wanted. Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women of King Ahasuerus’s palace. (Esther 1:4-9 HCSB)

In summary, the king held nothing back from this party. For 180 days, he displayed the might, glory and power of his kingdom to all who could see. Then, to top it off, just following the six-month celebration, the king and the queen threw two separate seven-day parties for the cream of the crop. The men partied in one location while the women partied in another.

At the conclusion of this seven-day celebration, something providential took place. The king was drunk. Or, as the Bible says, he was “merry with wine.” In that state of mind, he commanded his leaders to bring his Queen Vashti and to parade her in front of the men who had partied with him in order to display her beauty. Basically, he wanted her to strut her stuff in front of his posse. He wanted to show her off.

But the queen refused. Doubtless, she had suffered much under her cruel husband, but this time, in her dignity, she refused to be his show-and-tell. In her dignity, she said no.

Saying “no” to a king can come with consequences. Especially this king. As a result of her refusal, the king now faced a dilemma. His friends urged him to ban her and revoke her title because they feared their wives would rebel based on her example. We read what they said,

“For the queen’s action will become public knowledge to all the women and cause them to despise their husbands and say, ‘King Ahasuerus ordered Queen Vashti brought before him, but she did not come.’ Before this day is over, the noble women of Persia and Media who hear about the queen’s act will say the same thing to all the king’s officials, resulting in more contempt and fury. If it meets the king’s approval, 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 who is more worthy than she.” (Esther 1:17-19 HCSB)

Essentially, they told him they didn’t need any more rebellious and independent women in the kingdom. He agreed. Thus, the king banned Vashti from being his queen.