⁹ Queen Vashti also gave a banquet^(A) for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.

¹⁰ On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits^(B) from wine,^(C) he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona,^(D) Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— ¹¹ to bring^(E) before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty^(F) to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. ¹² But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.^(G)

¹³ Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times^{(H) 14} and were closest to the king—Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles^(I) of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom.

¹⁵ “According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?” he asked. “She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.”