1.
Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)
Now it came to pass in the days of. See important note of Rabbinical commentators on Genesis 14:1 .
Ahasuerus = the venerable king. An appellative, like Pharaoh, Czar, Shah, &c. See notes on p. 618 and App-57 and App-68 .
this. Implying that others were so called, from whom lie is to be distinguished. This Ahasuerus was Astyages (Greek), Arsames (Persian). See App-67 and App-58 . "This Ahasuerus" emphasizes the one who was specially renowned. Figure of speech Parenthesis.
from India even unto Ethiopia: i.e. the two extreme boundaries of the known world.
an hundred and seven and twenty provinces. Daniel 6:1 says 120 princes. The number continually altered to suit the requirements of government. Only in Daniel 6:1 do we find 120. Plato says that "when Darius (i.e. 'the Maintainer' = Astyages) came to the throne, being one of the seven, he divided the country into seven portions" ( De Legibus iii). These are the seven named in verses: Esther 1:13-14 . When Babylon afterward fell into his hands, he divided his newly acquired kingdom into 120 part3 (Daniel 9:1 . Compare Esther 6:1 ). Why should he not have added these to the seven he already possessed, and thus have made the 127 of Esther 1:1 ; Esther 9:30 ? In the later days of Darius (Hystaspis) these had reduced to twenty-three, as stated and named on the Behistun inscription.
2.
That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
in those days: i.e. the days when these events took place. At other times he dwelt at Ecbatana, or elsewhere. Esther 1:1 mentions the ruler; Esther 1:2 , the place; Esther 1:1 , the time.
sat = took his seat, or came to.
Shushan. Now, the ruins of Susa, on the river Shapur, east of Persian Gulf.
palace = castle, or fortress. Compare Nehemiah 1:1 .
3.
In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
the third year: i.e. in 471; six years after the destruction of Jerusalem. Astyages now seventeen or
commandment. Hebrew. dabar = word, precept. Occurs Esther 1:19 ; Esther 2:8 ; Esther 3:15 ; Esther 8:14 , Esther 8:17 . See note on Esther 1:10 .
eighteen years. See App-50 . In this year Xerxes (who is supposed to be this king), according to Herod. vii. 8, and Diod. Sic. xi. 2, was preparing his expedition against Greece; whereas this chapter presupposes a season of peace and quiet.
a feast. For its own sake. No reason is given.
power. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6 , for those who exercised it: viz. the people of power.
Persia and Media. In this book this is always the order, except Esther 10:2 . In Daniel it is the reverse.
4.
When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.
an hundred and fourscore days. This was to allow all peoples to be feasted in turn. Not all at the same time; or one feast of that duration.
5.
And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;
palace = house, or, large house.
6.
Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
beds = couches.
7.
And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
the vessels. Note the frequent Parentheses ( App-6 ) in verses: Esther 1:1 , Esther 1:7 , Esther 1:13 , Esther 1:14 , Esther 1:20 .
wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 .
8.
And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.
law. Heb, dath = royal decree, or special mandate, as in verses: Esther 1:1 , Esther 1:13 , Esther 1:15 , Esther 1:19 ; Esther 3:8 ; Esther 4:11 , Esther 4:16 .
9.
Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
Vashti. The daughter of Alyattes (king of Lydia), married by Cyaxares to his son Astyages after the battle of Halys. See App-57 .
10.
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,
commanded. Hebrew. 'amar. So rendered in verses: Esther 1:1 , Esther 1:15 , Esther 1:17 ; Esther 2:20 ; Esther 4:13 ; Esther 6:1 ; Esther 9:14 , Esther 9:25 . Note the different words rendered "command" and "decree" in this book.
seven chamberlains = seven eunuchs. This shows the minuteness of the writer's knowledge.
11.
To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.
people = peoples.
12.
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
refused. Probably because sent for by servants; not by the nobles (Esther 1:3 ), and before the "peoples" (Esther 1:5 ).
13.
Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment:
for. See note on the parentheses, Esther 1:7 .
14.
And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)
15.
What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
16.
And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
17.
For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.
18.
Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.
ladies = princesses.
19.
If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.
not altered. Compare Daniel 6:8 .
20.
And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.
decree prescript. Only here and Ecclesiastes 8:11 .
it is great: i.e. the decree is important.
ALL THE WIVES SHALL GIVE. This is the first of the five Acrostics ( App-6 ), exhibiting in the initials the Divine name. See App-60 .
21.
And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
22.
For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.