Esther 1:12 - Forerunner Commentary

Esther 1:12

10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, ^aHarbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus,

11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing her royal crown, in order to show her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful to behold.

12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs; therefore the king was furious, and his anger burned within him.

13 Then the king said to the ^awise men ^bwho understood the times (for this was the king’s manner toward all who knew law and justice,

14 those closest to him being Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the ^aseven princes of Persia and Media, ^bwho had access to the king’s presence, and who¹ ranked highest in the kingdom):

15 “What shall we do to Queen Vashti, according to law, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus brought to her by the eunuchs?”

16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes: “Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes, and all the people who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.

17 For the queen’s behavior will become known to all women, so that they will ^adespise their husbands in their eyes, when they report, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in before him, but she did not come.’

18 This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media will say to all the king’s officials that they have heard of the behavior of the queen. Thus there will be excessive contempt and wrath.

19 If it pleases the king, let a royal¹ decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it will ^anot be altered, that Vashti shall come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she.

20 When the king’s decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will ^ahonor their husbands, both great and small.”

21 And the reply pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan.

22 Then he sent letters to all the king’s provinces, ^ato each province in its own script, and to every people in their own language, that each man should ^bbe master in his own house, and speak in the language of his own people.

Verse Comparison: Esther 1:12

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Esther 1:13 >>

American Standard Version
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by the chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.

Amplified® Bible
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command conveyed by the eunuchs. Therefore the king was enraged, and his anger burned within him.

Contemporary English Version
The king's servants told Queen Vashti what he had said, but she refused to go to him, and this made him terribly angry.

Darby English Version
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the word of the king which was [sent] by the chamberlains; and the king was very wroth, and his fury burned in him.

Good News Bible
But when the servants told Queen Vashti of the king's command, she refused to come. This made the king furious.

King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command delivered by the eunuchs. Then the king became very angry and his wrath burned within him.

New International Version
But when the attendants delivered the king's command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.

New King James Version
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs; therefore the king was furious, and his anger burned within him.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command delivered by the eunuchs. Then the king became very angry and his wrath burned within him.

Revised Standard Version
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command conveyed by the eunuchs. At this the king was enraged, and his anger burned within him.

Young's Literal Translation
and the queen Vashti refuseth to come in at the word of the king that `is' by the hand of the eunuchs, and the king is very wroth, and his fury hath burned in him.

New English Translation
But Queen Vashti refused¹ to come at the king’s bidding² conveyed through the eunuchs. Then the king became extremely angry, and his rage consumed³ him.

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