A Few Thoughts about the Book of Esther

- When King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to attend his banquet wearing her crown to display her great beauty, he was entirely within his rights as a King and a husband. It was a state function and she was to attend in her capacity as a Queen (wearing her crown).

- There is nothing in the text that even suggests there was anything improper in his command.

- Queen Vashti ignored an official request made before a multitude of people at an official banquet. Her behavior could not be ignored.

- Queen Vashti’s refusal to appear is in stark contrast to Queen Esther’s reluctance to appear before King Ahasuerus. At one point Queen Esther had not seen her husband in 30 days because he had not asked for her.

- Haman, the King’s second in command, had a plot to exterminate all the Jews. If Queen Vashti were still Queen he would have had no opposition.

- God dethroned Queen Vashti and elevated Esther to take her place as Queen and protect his people.

- Esther and her fellow Jews were Jews who decided to stay in Persia and not be repatriated to Judea.

- One lesson from the Book of Esther is that God protects his people wherever they are. Even if they decide to stay in a foreign land.

- How many wives and concubines did King Ahasuerus have? Who knows? King Solomon had 1000 wives and 300 concubines.

- Now we see why King Ahasuerus made it a crime punishable by death to approach him in his inner court uninvited. If you have over a thousand women and their children in your harem you might like some alone time.

- King Ahasuerus was about 36 years old when he became King. 39 years old when Vashti ignored his command. 43 years old when he married Esther. The time spent between Vashti and Esther was four years. Ahasuerus was busy invading Greece during this time. Ahasuerus and Esther had been married about 5 years when Haman plotted to kill all the Jews.

- Esther was not involved in a beauty contest where there is one winner and everyone else goes home. They were all concubines of the King except Esther who was wife and Queen. They would live the rest of their lives in the King’s Harem.

- Esther was a willing participant in the Queen contest.