Esther 1:13-22
So That It Cannot Be Repealed
Read the passage
13Then the king consulted the wise men who knew the times, for it was customary for him to confer with the experts in law and justice.
14His closest advisors were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who had personal access to the king and ranked highest in the kingdom.
15“According to law,” he asked, “what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey the command of King Xerxes delivered by the eunuchs?”
16And in the presence of the king and his princes, Memucan replied, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the princes and the peoples in all the provinces of King Xerxes.
17For the conduct of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes ordered Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come.’
18This very day the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard about the queen’s conduct will say the same thing to all the king’s officials, resulting in much contempt and wrath.
19So if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree, and let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be repealed, that Vashti shall never again enter the presence of King Xerxes, and that her royal position shall be given to a woman better than she.
20The edict the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom—and so all women, from the least to the greatest, will honor their husbands.”
21The king and his princes were pleased with this counsel; so the king did as Memucan advised.
22He sent letters to all the provinces of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be master of his own household.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The king turns to his closest advisers, men familiar with law and justice. What should be done, he asks, because Vashti refused his command?
Memucan makes the matter larger than one refusal. He claims Vashti has wronged the king, the princes, and people throughout the provinces. Other women will hear, he says, and despise their husbands. The account gives us his prediction; it does not tell us that the women of the empire have already reacted this way.
His proposed remedy is permanent: Vashti must never enter the king's presence again, and her royal position must go to another woman. The decree is to be recorded so it cannot be repealed. Xerxes and the princes approve. Letters go throughout the kingdom, in each people's language, declaring that every man should be master of his household.
An angry response has become an imperial decree. The king has consulted experts, but their agreement does not make the decision just. And making a rule permanent cannot make it wise. Later, this inability to revoke a sealed decree will become a grave obstacle when Esther seeks to save her people (Esther 8:8).
Questions
1 Whom does the king consult?
AnswerHis closest advisers, experts in law and justice. Seven princes of Persia and Media are named.
2 What does Memucan predict?
AnswerThat women throughout the kingdom will hear about Vashti and despise their husbands. This is his argument for action, not a report that it has happened.
3 What does he propose should happen to Vashti?
AnswerShe should never again enter the king's presence, and her royal position should go to another woman. He wants the decree to be irreversible.
4 What happens after the king accepts the advice?
AnswerLetters go to every province in its own script and to each people in its own language, declaring that every man should be master of his household.
What This Means for Us
A rule made in anger may need to be reconsidered after we calm down. Ask whether a household rule protects someone or merely protects the pride of the person who made it. If you have acted unfairly, apologize and change what needs changing. Admitting the mistake is a beginning; the people affected also need the harm put right.
Prayer
Father, give us patience before we make decisions in anger. Help us welcome wise correction and change an unfair rule even when admitting our mistake is uncomfortable. Amen.