Esther 1:10-21

Holman Christian Standard Bible

¹⁰On the seventh day, when the king was feeling good from the wine,^(A) Ahasuerus commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona,^(B) Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs^(C) who personally served him, ¹¹to bring Queen Vashti before him with her royal crown. He wanted to show off her beauty to the people and the officials, because she was very beautiful.^(D) ¹²But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command that was delivered by his eunuchs. The king became furious and his anger burned within him.^(E)

The King’s Decree

¹³The king consulted the wise men^(F) who understood the times,^[a]^(G) for it was his normal procedure to confer with experts in law and justice. ¹⁴The most trusted ones^[b] were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. They were the seven officials^(H) of Persia and Media^(I) who had personal access to the king^(J) and occupied the highest positions in the kingdom.^(K) ¹⁵The king asked, “According to the law, what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey King Ahasuerus’s command that was delivered by the eunuchs?”

¹⁶Memucan said in the presence of the king and his officials, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the officials and the peoples who are in every one of King Ahasuerus’s provinces.^(L) ¹⁷For 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.’ ¹⁸Before 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.

¹⁹“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:^(M) 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.^(N) ²⁰The decree the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom,^(O) so all women will honor their husbands,^(P) from the least to the greatest.”^(Q)