INTRODUCTION: The first chapter of Esther sets the scene for the book. The story is told plainly and simply without any moralizing. Other scriptures must be found to determine the right and wrong of the actions. Esther simply tells the story. The main theme of this chapter is how God can use the ways of the world, even the wrath of man, to bring about His own pleasure (Psalm 76:10Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
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1. THE WALK OF THE WORLD (Esther 1:1-12 [1] Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) [2] That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, [3] In the third year of his reign, he 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: [4] When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. [5] And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace; [6] Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. [7] And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. [8] And the drinking was according to the law; none 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. [9] Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. [10] On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, [11] To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. [12] But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
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1. Extravagance (Esther 1:1-6 [1] Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) [2] That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, [3] In the third year of his reign, he 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: [4] When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. [5] And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace; [6] Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
   See All...; 1 Peter 4:3-4 [3] For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: [4] Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
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1. The power of King Ahasuerus (Esther 1:1-2 [1] Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) [2] That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
   See All...; Ecclesiastes 8:4Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
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1. The mighty empire of Persia (Esther 1:1Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)
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1. From India to Ethiopia (Esther 8:9Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
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2. 127 provinces
2. From his throne in Shushan (Esther 1:2That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
   See All...; Nehemiah 1:1The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,
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2. The feast of 180 days (Esther 1:3-4 [3] In the third year of his reign, he 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: [4] When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.
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1. In the third year of his reign (Esther 1:3In the third year of his reign, he 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:
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2. For those who served under the king (Esther 1:3In the third year of his reign, he 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:
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1. His princes
2. His servants
3. The nobles
3. To show the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty (Esther 1:4When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.
   See All...; Isaiah 39:1-6 [1] At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered. [2] And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not. [3] Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon. [4] Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them. [5] Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts: [6] Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.
   See All...; Daniel 4:30The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
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3. The feast of seven days (Esther 1:5-6 [5] And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace; [6] Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
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1. After the first feast was complete (Esther 1:5And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;
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2. For all the people in Shushan (Esther 1:5And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;
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1. Small
2. And great
3. In the court of the garden of the king’s palace (Esther 1:5And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;
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4. In the midst of great splendor (Esther 1:6Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
   See All...; Amos 6:1Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!
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1. White, green, and blue hangings
1. Fastened with cords of fine linen and purple
2. Fastened to silver rings
3. Hung from pillars of marble
2. Beds of gold and silver; Note: These beds were more like our couches and were used for reclining while eating and visiting. This is the manner in which Orientals ate in ancient times.
3. Pavement of marble (probably in some sort of checkered pattern)
1. Red
2. Blue
3. White
4. Black
2. Drunkenness (Esther 1:7-9 [7] And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. [8] And the drinking was according to the law; none 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. [9] Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
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1. The drinking vessels (Esther 1:7And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
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1. Vessels of gold
2. Variety of vessels
2. The supply of wine (Esther 1:7And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
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1. Royal wine: the highest quality
2. Wine in abundance: the greatest quantity
3. According to the state of the king: as proof of his wealth and power
3. The law of drinking (Esther 1:8And the drinking was according to the law; none 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.
   See All...; Proverbs 20:1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
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1. Not compelled
2. Not refused
3. Every man to drink according to his pleasure (Romans 15:2-3 [2] Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. [3] For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
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4. Note: This was the world’s way of avoiding any kind of responsibility for what might go wrong. The world is still implementing this philosophy today.
4. The feast for the women (Esther 1:9Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
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1. Hosted by Queen Vashti
2. Held in the royal house
3. Immodesty (Esther 1:10-12 [10] On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, [11] To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. [12] But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
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1. The command of the king (Esther 1:10-11 [10] On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, [11] To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.
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1. Under the influence of wine (Esther 1:10On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
   See All...; Isaiah 28:7But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.
   See All...); He had likely been drinking for seven days, perhaps longer.
2. Given to the king’s seven chamberlains (Esther 1:10On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
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3. To display his wife’s beauty (Esther 1:11To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.
   See All...; Genesis 9:20-21 [20] And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: [21] And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
   See All...; Habakkuk 2:15Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!
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1. To bring her before the king
2. To show her to the people
3. For she was fair to look upon
4. Note: Alcohol often leads men to treat women in inappropriate ways.
2. The refusal of the queen (Esther 1:12But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
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1. She would not come.
2. The king was very wroth.
3. Note: Some have speculated this presentation of the queen meant she would be uncovered before the people, but this is probably not the case. The king was, however, planning to make a spectacle of her. In this day of showing off and uncovering for all, it is interesting to see a pagan queen who refused to be made a beauty queen (Proverbs 31:30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
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2. THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD (Esther 1:13-22 [13] Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment: [14] And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;) [15] What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? [16] And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done 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. [17] For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise 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. [18] Likewise shall the 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. [19] If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. [20] And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small. [21] And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan: [22] For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into 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 that it should be published according to the language of every people.
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1. Counsel Sought (Esther 1:13-15 [13] Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment: [14] And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;) [15] What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
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1. The wise men (Esther 1:13-14 [13] Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment: [14] And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)
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1. Which knew the times (Esther 1:13Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment:
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 12:32And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
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2. Which knew law and judgment (Esther 1:13Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment:
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3. Which sat first in the kingdom (Esther 1:14And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)
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2. The legal question (Esther 1:15What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
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1. The queen hath not performed the commandment of the king as delivered by the chamberlains.
2. According to the law, what shall we do unto the queen?
2. Counsel Given (Esther 1:16-20 [16] And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done 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. [17] For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise 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. [18] Likewise shall the 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. [19] If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. [20] And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.
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1. Counsel which ignored the king’s injustice (Esther 1:16And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done 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.
   See All...; Matthew 7:3-5 [3] And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? [4] Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? [5] Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
   See All...); claiming the queen injured all the people
1. The king
2. The princes
3. The people in all provinces
2. Counsel which protected the status quo (Esther 1:17-18 [17] For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise 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. [18] Likewise shall the 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.
   See All...; John 11:47-48 [47] Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. [48] If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
   See All...); fear that other women would follow her lead
3. Counsel which removed the queen’s relationship and estate (Esther 1:19-20 [19] If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. [20] And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.
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1. An unalterable law (Esther 1:19If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.
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2. A law that would take away Vashti’s estate (Esther 1:19If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.
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3. A law that would cause others to fear (Esther 1:20And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.
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3. Counsel Followed (Esther 1:21-22 [21] And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan: [22] For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into 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 that it should be published according to the language of every people.
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1. The king pleased (Esther 1:21And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
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2. The letters sent (Esther 1:22For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into 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 that it should be published according to the language of every people.
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3. Note: This enforced servitude must not be confused with the scriptural order for the home. Nothing has given greater dignity to women than complete submission to the New Testament plan for the home (see Ephesians 5:25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
   See All..., 28; Colossians 3:19Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
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CONCLUSION: If the book of Esther had only this chapter, we would be at a loss to know the purpose of it all. But that is the point. In those times when we cannot conceive of the reason for events, God may be setting things up for a great work at a later time. If Vashti had not lost the favor of the king, then she would not have been replaced. If Esther had not become queen, then she would not be in the position she was in when the crisis came. This entire book is about God’s providential care of His people. How has God providentially cared for you?