Esther is a fascinating book that takes us on a journey to understand God’s providence. Although the author of this book is unknown, the dialect used suggest that the author was a person who was accustomed to both Jewish and Persian customs, giving credence to the book being written in the timeframe of the events, which are approximately in 460 BC. It was most likely written after Xerxes had died (Esther 10:2 eludes to this) and before Ezra’s return to Jerusalem (Esther 8:12, Ezra 7:9).
The book of Esther is the last book in biblical order in the historical books of the Old Testament. But its chronological order is different. In fact, the final three historical books (Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther), all shares uniqueness as a unit.
First, Ezra and Nehemiah, from very early on, were viewed as two separate books. The Talmud was the first to combine the works as one, referring just to Ezra and never to Nehemiah. The Septuagint called the combined works Esdra (Ezra) B. Origen was the first to make a distinction between the two, while Jerome, who translated the Latin Vulgte, referred to Nehemiah as the second book of Esdrae. Wycliffe and Coverdale both referred to the books as 1 Esdras and 2 Esdras. Eventually it was separated as two distinct books, Ezra and Nehemiah, in current translations.
This is important to note because Ezra and Nehemiah were contemporaries under Persian rule. Both served under the kingship of Artaxerxes I. But where does the book of Esther fit into this? Her story is fit inside Ezra 6 and 7, during the reign of Xerxes. Although Esther’s book is about a singular event during that reign, it no less fits into the overall narrative of the three books that are set under Persian rule.
All three books tell us of providence, but none like Esther. God is not mentioned in the book, and there are no allusions to what is happening outside Xerxes kingdom at the time, but God’s provision, protection and machinations are very prominent in this work. It is at the end of the historic books because the once-single work of Ezra/Nehemiah makes sense to follow each other, then the break out story of Esther as an addendum to both.
1 This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush: 2 At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, 3 and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present.
Xerxes, also known as Ahasuerus, was a very well-known king of the Persian Empire. He was the son of Darius I and is mentioned in the books of Ezra, Daniel and Haggai. He is also very well-known historically. He ruled from 486- 465 BC. His mother was the daughter of Cyrus the Great. His most famous battle was when he attempted to conquer Greece in 483 BC. This attempt to strengthen the Persian Empire ended in an embarrassing defeat. As the story opens, Xerxes is no doubt planning this future invasion.
As the biblical account opens, Xerxes is in charge of 127 provinces from India to Cush (Ethiopia). The Persian Empire is the largest empire to date, one day to fall of Greece. Greece will fall to Rome and the colossal empire of Rome will rule the land up to and beyond Christ’s ministry. Here we see that Xerxes is throwing a great party for many of Persia’s officials.
4 For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. For six months was a prideful display of his kingdom to the various officials and dignitaries of Persia. 5 When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king’s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of Susa.
The second festival, which lasted seven days, was for the people of Susa.
6 The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones.
There is opulence surrounding the party guests. This is to show those around him that Xerxes holds the ultimate wealth and power in the land. This is nothing more than a show of pride for all those around him.
7 Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king’s liberality. 8 By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished.
It wasn’t just a display of pride, but one of excess. All were allowed to drink and get drunk, for it was Xerxes’ desire to show all that not only did he have power and benevolence, but also the very keys to sustenance and joy.
9 Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.
Xerxes wife, Vashti, also throws a party. This party is for the women in the royal palace.
10 On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— 11 to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty 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.
In accordance with Xerxes’ pride, he commands for his wife to dance before the officials. But first we need to realize one important item: Xerxes is drunk. This is on day 7 of the party, when people have been drinking for week straight. Xerxes judgment is clearly skewed. When Vashti refuses, Xerxes goes into a rage.
We need to understand what this means in this culture. First, the king is the ultimate last word. You do not defy the king. The king has the right to kill anyone, anytime, on his own whim. This extends to the queen. No matter how lovely she may be, no matter how strong, she still yields to the king’s commands. What Vashti does is remarkable. Xerxes’ reaction is that of a petulant child. He’s been promoting himself and his kingdom for the better of 6 months and now his queen defies him in front of his officials.
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 14 and were closest to the king—Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles 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.”
It is amazing that Xerxes even went to the officials to figure out what to do with Vashti. This is perhaps after he sobered up and pondered the situation.
16 Then Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, “Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. 17 For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.’ 18 This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.
The fear is that if Vashti does not go punished, her conduct will be a lightning rod for all other women in the land. They will realize that if the king’s wife doesn’t listen to the king, then why should they listen to their husband? The ripple effect could be enormous.
19 “Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. 20 Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.” 21 The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed. 22 He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be ruler over his own household, using his native tongue.
Although the role of the man as the leader of the household is a biblical one, the motivation here is suspect. Xerxes, the ever-prideful ruler of Persia, doesn’t want to look weak. He doesn’t want that weakness to filter down to other communities. Therefore, they will write an unbreakable edict, casting Vashti out forever, scaring other women into submission, and securing his pride.