📖 Esther — Chapter 1 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Esther 1:1 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, Rfrom India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)
Esther 1:2 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus Rsat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
Esther 1:3 In the third year of his reign, Rhe made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
Esther 1:4 RWhen he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.
Esther 1:5 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were Tpresent in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, Rseven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace;
Esther 1:6 Where were white, green, and Tblue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: Rthe beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement Tof red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
Esther 1:7 And they gave them drink in Rvessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and Troyal wine in abundance, according to the Tstate of the king.
Esther 1:8 And the drinking was according to the law; Rnone 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.
Esther 1:9 Also Vashti Rthe queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
Esther 1:10 On the seventh day, when Rthe heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven Tchamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
Esther 1:11 To bring RVashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was Tfair to look on.
Esther 1:12 But the queen Vashti Rrefused to come at the king’s commandment Tby his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
Esther 1:13 Then the king said to Rthe wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment:
Esther 1:14 And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, Rthe seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king’s face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)
Esther 1:15 RTWhat shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
Esther 1:16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not Rdone 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.
Esther 1:17 For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall Rdespise 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 not.
Esther 1:18 Likewise shall Rthe 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.
Esther 1:19 TIf Rit please the king, let there go a royal commandment Tfrom him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it Tbe not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate Tunto another that is better than she.
Esther 1:20 And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published Rthroughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.
Esther 1:21 And the saying RTpleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
Esther 1:22 For he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, Rinto every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and Tthat it should be published according to the language of every people.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Esther 1:1–9 — Royal wealth on display
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Ahasuerus displays his kingdom's riches and holds lavish feasts. Vashti also hosts the women. The detailed setting introduces a court shaped by wealth, status, and the king's wishes. The narrator describes this power and luxury without instructing readers to treat them as signs of moral wisdom.
Key Truth: Distinguish visible status from wise conduct.
Check What You Remember
1. How many provinces did Ahasuerus rule? (Esther 1:1)
Find it in Esther 1:1 (KJV).
2. Where was his palace? (Esther 1:2)
Find it in Esther 1:2 (KJV).
3. Who held a feast for the women? (Esther 1:9)
Find it in Esther 1:9 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Esther 1:10–15 — Vashti refuses the summons
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The king, merry with wine, orders Vashti brought to display her beauty. She refuses, and he becomes angry and consults advisers. The text does not state her reasons, so commentary should not invent them. The scene exposes the risk of a ruler's anger turning a personal demand into a public crisis.
Key Truth: Do not let anger control decisions affecting others.
Check What You Remember
1. What was the king seeking to display? (Esther 1:11)
Find it in Esther 1:11 (KJV).
2. Did Vashti come at his command? (Esther 1:12)
Find it in Esther 1:12 (KJV).
3. How did the king respond? (Esther 1:12)
Find it in Esther 1:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Esther 1:16–22 — A personal conflict becomes a decree
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Memucan portrays Vashti's refusal as a threat across the empire and urges her removal. The king accepts this advice and sends letters about household rule. These are the court's claims and actions, not divine commands approving every aspect of its treatment of women. The decree prepares the vacancy central to Esther's story.
Key Truth: Test advice that magnifies wounded pride into a wider crisis.
Check What You Remember
1. Which adviser proposed the decree? (Esther 1:16)
Find it in Esther 1:16 (KJV).
2. Who would receive Vashti's royal estate? (Esther 1:19)
Find it in Esther 1:19 (KJV).
3. To whom were the letters sent? (Esther 1:22)
Find it in Esther 1:22 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Proverbs 14:29 — The proverb warns against hasty anger.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can you pause before anger or wounded pride shapes a decision about others?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does the opening convey the extent of Ahasuerus’s rule?
2. How are the long display and the later feast distinguished?
3. How is drinking at the feast described?
4. What widens the advisers’ concern beyond the royal household?
5. How is the decision distributed across a multilingual realm?
Notes
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