The King’s Decree

13 The king consulted the wise men(A) who understood the times,[a](B) for it was his normal procedure to confer with experts in law and justice. 14 The most trusted ones[b] were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. They were the seven officials(C) of Persia and Media(D) who had personal access to the king(E) and occupied the highest positions in the kingdom.(F) 15 The 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?”

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Footnotes

  1. 1:13 Or understood propitious times
  2. 1:14 Lit Those near him

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(A) 14 and were closest to the king—Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles(B) 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.”

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