If it pleases the king, let a royal decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it will not 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. Esther 1:19
Queen Vashti deposed: 1:1-22. Vashti refused to obey Xerxes’ command to appear at the great feast he gives in his third year. The queen is removed, in part to affirm the authority of husbands over their wives and to prevent stirrings of “women’s liberation” in Persia (17-20)!
Vivid description (1:6-8) The vivid detail here suggests the writer was an eye witness who participated in the event. Later, couches of gold and silver, just like those mentioned here were captured by the Greeks under Alexander. Archeological evidence exists for the luxuries described.
6 There were white and blue linen curtains fastened with cords of fine linen and purple on silver rods and marble pillars; and the couches were of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of alabaster, turquoise, and white and black marble.7 And they served drinks in golden vessels, each vessel being different from the other, with royal wine in abundance, according to the generosity of the king. 8 In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had ordered all the officers of his household, that they should do according to each man’s pleasure.
