CSB

CSB

Click to Change

Return to Top

Return to Top

Printer Icon

Print

Copy
Copy Options
Format by: Verse Paragraph
Strong's
Red Letter
Audio Bibles
Copy Options
Cite Print
The Blue Letter Bible

Esther 1 :: Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

Choose a new font size and typeface
Audio Bibles
Vashti Angers the King
Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:1 -

These events took place during the days of Ahasuerus, who ruled 127 provinces from India to Cush.

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:2 -

In those days King Ahasuerus reigned from his royal throne in the fortress at Susa.

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:3 -

He held a feast in the third year of his reign for all his officials and staff, the army of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the officials from the provinces.

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:4 -

He displayed the glorious wealth of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness for a total of 180 days.

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:5 -

At the end of this time, the king held a week-long banquet in the garden courtyard of the royal palace for all the people, from the greatest to the least, who were present in the fortress of Susa.

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:6 -

White and blue linen hangings were fastened with fine white and purple linen cords to silver rods on marble[fn] columns. Gold and silver couches were arranged on a mosaic pavement of red feldspar,[fn] marble, mother-of-pearl, and precious stones.

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:7 -

Drinks were served in an array of gold goblets, each with a different design. Royal wine flowed freely, according to the king’s bounty.

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:8 -

The drinking was according to royal decree: “There are no restrictions.” The king had ordered every wine steward in his household to serve whatever each person wanted.

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:9 -

Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women of King Ahasuerus’s palace.

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:10 -

On the seventh day, when the king was feeling good from the wine, Ahasuerus commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas ​— ​the seven eunuchs who personally served him ​— ​

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:11 -

to bring Queen Vashti before him with her royal crown. He wanted to show off her beauty to the people and the officials, because she was very beautiful.

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:12 -

But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command that was delivered by his eunuchs. The king became furious and his anger burned within him.

The King’s Decree
Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:13 -

The king consulted the wise men who understood the times,[fn] for it was his normal procedure to confer with experts in law and justice.

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:14 -

The most trusted ones[fn] were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. They were the seven officials of Persia and Media who had personal access to the king and occupied the highest positions in the kingdom.

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:15 -

The king asked, “According to the law, what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey King Ahasuerus’s command that was delivered by the eunuchs? ”

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:16 -

Memucan said in the presence of the king and his officials, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the officials and the peoples who are in every one of King Ahasuerus’s provinces.

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:17 -

“For the queen’s action will become public knowledge to all the women and cause them to despise their husbands and say, ‘King Ahasuerus ordered Queen Vashti brought before him, but she did not come.’

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:18 -

“Before this day is over, the noble women of Persia and Media who hear about the queen’s act will say the same thing to all the king’s officials, resulting in more contempt and fury.

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:19 -

“If it meets the king’s approval, he should personally issue a royal decree. Let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it cannot be revoked: Vashti is not to enter King Ahasuerus’s presence, and her royal position is to be given to another woman who is more worthy than she.

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:20 -

“The decree the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom, so all women will honor their husbands, from the greatest to the least.”

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:21 -

The king and his counselors approved the proposal, and he followed Memucan’s advice.

Unchecked Copy BoxEst 1:22 -

He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to each province in its own script and to each ethnic group in its own language, that every man should be master of his own house and speak in the language of his own people.

CSB Footnotes
Or alabaster
Or of porphyry
Or understood propitious times
Lit Those near him
CSB

Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017, 2020 by Holman Bible Publishers.

Additional information is provided here.

For more information on this translation, see the CSB Preface.

BLB Searches
Search the Bible
CSB
 [?]

Advanced Options

Other Searches

Multi-Verse Retrieval
x
CSB

Daily Devotionals
x

Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness.

Daily Bible Reading Plans
x

Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year.

One-Year Plans

Two-Year Plan

Esther Chapter 1 — Additional Translations: