King Ahasuerus

Introduction

Story format

Character development

Problem developed

Events leading up to the Climax

Climax of the story

Resolution of the problem

Happy Ending

Character Development

King Ahasuerus (Esther 1)

Esther and Mordecai (Esther 2)

Haman (Esther 3:1-6)

King Ahasuerus

Esther 1:1–2 (ESV)

1 Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, 2 in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel,

Story starts with the King sitting on the royal throne in the Citadel in Susa the capital city of the Persian Empire.

Citadel - The Hebrew word בִּירָה (birah) can refer to a castle or palace or temple. Here it seems to have in mind that fortified part of the city that might be called an acropolis or citadel. (Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible. Second Edition. Denmark: Thomas Nelson, 2019. Print.)

Lavish Lifestyle (1-11)

Character of King Ahasuerus

King Ahasuerus is a very powerful and wealthy King. He is king of the Persian empire that was the world power of the time. Not only was he wealthy, but wanted to make it known to others so they would see his glory and honor.

Great Wealth

Esther 1:6–8 (ESV)

6 There were white cotton curtains and violet hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rods and marble pillars, and also couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and precious stones. 7 Drinks were served in golden vessels, vessels of different kinds, and the royal wine was lavished according to the bounty of the king. 8 And drinking was according to this edict: “There is no compulsion.” For the king had given orders to all the staff of his palace to do as each man desired.

Show wealth and power

Esther 1:4 (ESV)

4 while he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days.

Esther 1:4 (NET 2nd ed.)

4 He displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his majestic greatness for a lengthy period of time—180 days, to be exact!

“The words “to be exact!” are not in the Hebrew text but have been supplied in the translation to bring out the clarifying nuance of the time period mentioned. Cf. KJV “even an hundred and fourscore days.” (Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible. Second Edition. Denmark: Thomas Nelson, 2019. Print.)

Personally: I believe the Author points out the extreme in the events of history to make a point. King Ahasuerus is wealthy and desires to show off his wealth and power.

He is like Nebuchadnezzer - Daniel 4:29-30 “29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?””

Two Feast

1st Feast (3-4)

Feast to celebrate recent military victory over Egypt and Babylon.

Esther 1:3–4 (ESV)

3 in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him, 4 while he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days.

Feast - feast (meal) n., a meal that is well prepared and greatly enjoyed: Ge 19:3; 21:8; 26:30; 29:22; 40:20; Jdg 14:10, 12, 17; 1 Sa 25:36; 2 Sa 3:20; 1 Ki 3:15; Is 5:12; 25:6; Je 51:39; Job 1:4–5; Es 1:3, 5, 9; 2:18; 5:4–6, 8, 12, 14; 6:14; 7:2, 7–8; 8:17; 9:17–19, 22 (38×)” (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

This Hebrew word is used 14x in Esther. Talking about inviting to a feast or the feast itself.

The feast was a well prepared meal (well stocked with various foods), was sought after and enjoyed, the host was to be seen with honor (especially for Ahasuerus), and usually accompanied with excessive drinking and immoral living.

Guest

Esther 1:3 (ESV)

3 in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him,

Official/Governors - representative of the king, official; commander; district leader; person of note, head, first; higher being, guardian angel. 421× (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Army - a permanent organization of the military forces of a nation; usually referring to land forces (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Nobles - member of the ruling class of a city or town (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

2nd feast (5)

Esther 1:5 (ESV)

5 And when these days were completed, the king gave for all the people present in Susa the citadel, both great and small, a feast lasting for seven days in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.

This is an extended feast for 7 days for the local people.

“This royal affair was for the purpose of conferring with his chiefs and leaders in preparation for his war against Greece. Xerxes had put down a rebellion in Egypt and felt confident he could conquer the Greeks.” (Wiersbe, Warren W. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1993. Print.)

“This was in Xerxes’ third year, or 483 B.C. The Medes and Persians were in power as Daniel had prophesied (Dan. 2:36ff). The feast lasted for seven days (v. 5) in the king’s beautiful garden. Of course, there was drinking, and each guest was permitted as much as he wanted.” (Wiersbe, Warren W. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1993. Print.)

Expectation of Obedience (10-12)

Expectation (10-11)

Esther 1:10–11 (ESV)

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 Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was lovely to look at.

Bring in Queen Vashti (11)

In his drunken state, he desires to show his guest not only his wealth, but his queen. “Regarding Vashti as his most precious treasure, the king wanted to bring his great exhibition to a climax by displaying her beauty.” (Baldwin, Joyce G. Esther: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 12. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1984. Print. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries.)

Show off to his guest Esther 1:5 “5 And when these days were completed, the king gave for all the people present in Susa the citadel, both great and small, a feast lasting for seven days in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.”

“The king was used to getting whatever he desired whenever he desired it.” (Martin, John A. “Esther.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 1. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 702. Print.)

Queen’s refusal (12a)

Esther 1:12 (ESV)

12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command delivered by the eunuchs. At this the king became enraged, and his anger burned within him.

Queen’s refusal to come is not explained by the author. 1) Men and Women feasted separately (9), 2) She may have been pregnant with Artaxerxes (born in 483 bc), 3) she was expected to come in only her royal crown, 4) others.

The point of the author is not the queen’s refusal to come, but to show the Character of King Ahasuerus. He expected perfect and instant obedience to all his commands, even his Queen.

King is angry (12b)

Esther 1:12 (ESV)

12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command delivered by the eunuchs. At this the king became enraged, and his anger burned within him.

Esther 1:12 (NET 2nd ed.)

12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s bidding conveyed through the eunuchs. Then the king became extremely angry, and his rage consumed him.

Anger consumed him

He was embarrassed/shamed in front of all the guest in the feast. He was in a drunken state when this occured. He became so angry at the situation that it consumed him.

When the King did not get what he wanted he became angry and would make quick decisions.

King Ahasuerus often made bad decisions in his anger that would affect others and was locked in writing.

Influenced by the counsel of others (13-22)

The dilemma (1:13–15): The king consults his advisers concerning Vashti’s defiance, and they convince him that all other women might rebel against their husbands as well.

Esther 1:13–15 (ESV)

13 Then the king said to the wise men who knew the times (for this was the king’s procedure toward all who were versed in law and judgment, 14 the men next to him being Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king’s face, and sat first in the kingdom): 15 “According to the law, what is to be done to Queen Vashti, because she has not performed the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?”

“royal custom to confer with all those who were proficient in laws and legalities.” (NET)

He sought what he should do to solve the problem through the wisemen and the law.

The counsel (1:16-20)

Esther 1:16–18 (ESV)

16 Then Memucan said in the presence of the king and the officials, “Not only against the king has Queen Vashti done wrong, but also against all the officials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 For the queen’s behavior will be made known to all women, causing them to look at their husbands with contempt, since they will say, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, and she did not come.’ 18 This very day the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s behavior will say the same to all the king’s officials, and there will be contempt and wrath in plenty.

Memucan - one of the wisemen versed in the Law that were in the group in close counsel with the King (14)

His explanation - Vashti’s refusal was wrong and will influence the women of the other officials to defy their husbands.

The decision (1:19–20): The advisers recommend that the king banish his queen.

Esther 1:19–20 (ESV)

19 If it please the king, let a royal order go out from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes so that it may not be repealed, that Vashti is never again to come before King Ahasuerus. And let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she. 20 So when the decree made by the king is proclaimed throughout all his kingdom, for it is vast, all women will give honor to their husbands, high and low alike.”

Royal Order - word (command) n., a verbal command for action (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Banish Vashti from the King’s presence and find a new Queen.

This decree will cause all women to honor their husbands.

The decree (1:21–22): King Xerxes follows his advisers’ counsel and decrees that each man should be the ruler of his own home.

Esther 1:21–22 (ESV)

21 This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did as Memucan proposed. 22 He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to every province in its own script and to every people in its own language, that every man be master in his own household and speak according to the language of his people.

Ahasuerus is pleased with the advice and writes it into letters to be sent to the entire kingdom in the languages of the people.

Ahasuerus’ Character

He is one that seems quick to use his power to get what he wants.

He is influenced by others and uses his power and position to get what he wants.

We will see this more with his interactions with Haman, Esther, and Mordecai.

He does not know what to do and lean heavily on the influence of others.

Lessons from King Ahasuerus (Actions to avoid, example not to follow)

King Ahasuerus used his wealth to honor self.

We are called by God to use our resources and talents to be a blessing in the lives of those depending on us (Family) and others lives.

1 Peter 4:10–11 (ESV)

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

King Ahasuerus got angry when his expectations were not met and made quick decisions that affected others.

Ephesians 4:26 (ESV)

26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

“SHALT is an acronym for Sad, Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired.”

King Ahasuerus sought the counsel of others, but went off feelings not righteousness.

Reading in the book of Proverbs, We see that it is wise to seek counsel from others. However we need to test that counsel off the truth and wisdom of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:20–22 (ESV)

20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.