Esther 1:3-21

Esther 1:3-21

[3] In the third  year  of his reign,  he made  a feast  unto all his princes  and his servants;  of Persia  and Media,  the nobles  and princes  of the provinces,  being before  [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.  [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;  [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.  [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.  [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.  [9] Also Vashti  the queen  made  a feast  for the women  in the royal  house  which belonged to king  Ahasuerus.  [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,  [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.  [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. [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:  [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  [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.  [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  [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.  [21] And the saying  pleased  the king  and the princes;  and the king  did  according to the word  of Memucan: