The Book of Esther (01) – Ahasuerus

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1Now it happened in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Cush over 127 provinces, 2in those days as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne which was at the citadel in Susa, 3in the third year of his reign he held a banquet for all his officials and attendants, the army officers of Persia and Media, the nobles and the officials of his provinces, in his presence. 4At that time he displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his great majesty for many days, 180 days.

5When these days were finished, the king held a banquet lasting seven days for all the people who were present at the citadel in Susa, from the greatest to the least, in the courtyard of the garden of the king’s palace. 6There were curtains of fine white and violet linen held by cords of fine purple linen on silver rings and marble columns, and couches of gold and silver on a mosaic floor of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and mineral stones. 7Drinks were served in golden vessels of various kinds, and the royal wine was plentiful in proportion to the king’s bounty. 8But the drinking was done according to the royal law; there was no compulsion, for so the king had given orders to each official of his household, that he was to do as each person pleased. 9Queen Vashti also held a banquet for the women in the palace which belonged to King Ahasuerus.

10On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was cheerful with wine, he ordered Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, 11to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal turban in order to display her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful. 12But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s order delivered by the eunuchs. So the king became very angry, and his wrath burned within him.

13Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times—for it was the custom of the king to speak this way before all who knew Persian law and justice 14and were close to him, namely, Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven officials of Persia and Media who had access to the king’s presence and sat in the first place in the kingdom— 15“According to law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti, since she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?” 16And in the presence of the king and the other officials, Memucan said, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also all the officials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women so as to make their own husbands despicable in their sight, when they say, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded that Queen Vashti be brought in to his presence, but she did not come.’ 18And this day the wives of the officials of Persia and Media who have heard about the queen’s conduct will talk about it to all the king’s officials, and there will be plenty of contempt and anger. 19If it pleases the king, let a royal edict be issued by him and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be repealed, that Vashti may not come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position to another who is more worthy than she. 20When the king’s edict which he will make is heard throughout his kingdom, great as it is, then all women will give honor to their husbands, great and small.”

21Now this word pleased the king and the officials, and the king did as Memucan proposed. 22So he sent letters to all the king’s provinces, to each province according to its script and to every people according to their language, that every man was to be the ruler in his own house and the one who speaks in the language of his own people.

– Esther 1
(NASB® © 2020)
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Ahasuerus – An image of God

When God removed His earthly seat of government from Israel (1 Chr 29:23), He placed the government in the hands of the nations (Dan 2:31–45; 5:18–19). This period of pagan rule is called “the times of the nations” (Luke 21:24). Thus, during this time, various pagan monarchs ruled as extensions of God’s government on earth. In the book of Esther, King Ahasuerus reigns over the known world—“from India to Ethiopia” (Esther 1:1). He is a picture of God, who reigns behind the scenes over the whole world (Dan. 4:17).

The Feast of Ahasuerus—A Picture of the Gospel of God’s Grace

The first chapter of Esther tells us that King Ahasuerus held a banquet for everyone, “from the greatest to the least”(Esther 1:1–5). It is a picture of the great banquet that God has prepared for all people in the gospel of his grace (Luke 14:16). The purpose of Ahasuerus’ banquet is to show “the splendid wealth of his kingdom” and “the glorious splendor of his greatness.” In the same way, the gospel shows us “the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7–8). Just as Ahasuerus’ banquet lasts “many days,” God, in His long-suffering love and mercy, extends the invitation to His banquet for many days—now for about 2000 years! The guests who accept King Ahasuerus’ invitation and come to the feast are called “nobles and princes.” Thus, those who accept God’s invitation to the banquet of the gospel through faith are made “kings and priests” (Rev. 1:6).

At the banquet itself, the king provided “cushions of gold and silver” for the guests to rest on (Esther 1:6–8). Silver and gold are symbols of redemption and divine justice in Scripture. They give the believer a place where he can find rest for his salvation, and as a result, he has peace with God and rest for his soul (Matthew 11:28; Romans 5:1; 8:6). In addition, there are beautifully colored hangings at this feast for the enjoyment of the guests. They hang down from above and are attached to “silver rings”: a picture of the heavenly blessings that Christians have received through salvation (Eph 1:3). Furthermore, the king gives his guests “royal wine in abundance,” which speaks of the joy that God gives to those who accept and believe the gospel of his grace (Judges 9:13; Psalm 104:15).

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