Esther 1: Royal Feast of King Xerxes – Clear & Engaging Audio Bible Reading | The Grandeur of the Persian Empire, King’s Rejection, and Vashti’s Defiance

Experience the grand events of Esther 1 with this clear and engaging audio recording. Follow the story of King Xerxes grand feast showcasing the grandeur of the Persian empire, the king’s rejection of Queen Vashti, and Vashti’s defiance which leads to her removal as the queen. Perfect for study, reflection, or meditation, immerse yourself in this powerful chapter and let the Scriptures come alive.

ESTHER 1 (NIV)

1 This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over

127 provinces stretching from India to Cush:

2 At that time King Xerxes
reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa,

3 and in the third year
of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military
leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were
present.

4 For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the
splendor and glory of his majesty.

5 When these days were over, the king gave
a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king’s palace,
for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of
Susa.

6 The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords
of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There
were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble,
mother-of-pearl and other costly stones.

7 Wine was served in goblets of gold,
each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping
with the king’s liberality.

8 By the king’s command each guest was allowed to
drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to
serve each man what he wished.

9 Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King
Xerxes.

10 On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he
commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha,
Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas—

11 to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her
royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she
was lovely to look at.

12 But when the attendants delivered the king’s
command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned
with anger.

13 Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law
and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times

14 and were
closest to the king—Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and
Memukan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the
king and were highest in the kingdom.

15 “According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?” he asked. “She has
not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.”

16 Then Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, “Queen
Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the
nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes.

17 For the queen’s
conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their
husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before
him, but she would not come.’

18 This very day the Persian and Median women of
the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the
king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.

19 “Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it
be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that
Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king
give her royal position to someone else who is better than she.

20 Then when
the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women
will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.”

21 The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as
Memukan proposed.

22 He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each
province in its own script and to each people in their own language,
proclaiming that every man should be ruler over his own household, using his
native tongue.