”But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command delivered by the eunuch. At this, the king became enraged, and his anger burned within him”. (Esther 1:12)
Monarch Ahasuerus, a legendary monarch known for his amazing troops and luxury, threw a 180-day feast for countless nobles and officials spread throughout his 127 provinces, demonstrating the richness and grandeur of his kingdom, Susa, in the third year of his reign. After these 180 days, he had the party prolonged for seven more days, creating an endless atmosphere of delight and allowing his excellent royal wine to flow freely (Esther 1: 1-8).
Queen Vashti, according to verse 9, also entertained the women at a different location within the king's palace concurrently.
However, something unexpected happened on the seventh and final day of this great gathering. In his drunken ecstasy, the king requested that his queen be brought to the palace wearing her royal crown so that she might show off her beauty to his guests, who were probably either totally or somewhat drunk at this time (Esther 1:11).
The Queen, on the other hand, was unimpressed by this idea hen refused the call, much to the king's disappointment.
This made the king furious. He consulted his counsellors and all agreed that she needed be punished. Not only for defying the king's order, but also because they feared it would cause unrest in their households. As wives may begin to disrespect their husbands, causing husbands to lose control of their households.
Consequently, a law was made to banish the Queen from the king’s presence as a deterrent to every wife living in all the provinces of the king. (According to Esther 1:16-18.) And with the King's approval, and Queen Vashti was deposed of the throne. Esther 1:9.
THE BACKGROUND
This narrative took place about 483 BC, in an Eastern culture that segregates women to the point that a request like this would have been a severe affront to the monarch if he hadn't been influenced by alcohol.
This might explain why the Queen had the ladies hosted separately, given that it was traditionally inappropriate for them to be present at public meetings, especially with males as it was considered a dishonour to the husbands by the people of the society of that time.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that the queen was not informed prior to the king’s summons. She didn't have time to consider all of the implications of the summons which may have helped her to be able to make an informed decision.
Unfortunately, this queen had been subjected to years of character assassination. And unsurprisingly so, given the power imbalances between her and the males of her time. This also continues to influence the present day readers and unfortunately, this defamation will continue until people with different perspectives begin to speak up to change the narrative.
It is sad that the queen was punished purely because she had a mind and soul of her own. Because she dared to say no, to the people who saw themselves as superior merely because she was born differently - as a woman. She didn’t belong to their class. Her position as a queen was insufficient to keep her out of the humiliation. She was a woman afterall.
One wonders how exercising one’s basic human right; a simple decision to refuse what is inconsistent with one's own values and convictions, suddenly became a criminal offence.
There was the intoxicated mob, their odd gestures, their unusual looks, some uproar as some were possibly drunk..., all which could quickly spiral into humiliation for the royalty after the alcohol's euphoria wears off? How is she going to deal with the shame? … Anyone with a moral compass would have adopted her position.
Vashti thought she was defending her honour, but she had no idea she was enabling the entrance of the soon-to-be Queen Esther's role in the story of humanity.
It's important to remember that no single negative comment was made about the queen prior to the party incidents and after it, apart from that refusal. Her voice was unheard and her character was unsoiled. She must be a woman of substance.
In my opinions, this story exemplifies bravery and honesty. It should remind us to stick to our convictions as she did, in spite of the oppositions, betrayals or lost that we may be facing. Because in the end, God will come through for us.
Some schoolers thought that because Artaxerxes was born in 483 BC - the same year that queen Vashti lost her kingdom, she was pregnant or had just given birth to him at the time of the celebration. Whatever the case may be, in Ezra 7:1, Ezekiel 7:1, this son ultimately succeeded the monarch.
The significance of this is that, in the end, queen Vashti eventually became the king's mother, and may no longer be subject to king Ahaseurus’s banishment from the palace.
It's unfortunate that we continue to prioritise these "crowns and kingdoms" over and against our moral decency and mental wellness. Whatever the crowns represent; positions, money, relationships etc, have robbed some of us of our values, integrity, humanity, empathy, and justice for others. Some of us are suffocating under the pressures of these things and a lot had died in the process.
Queen Vashti story should encourage us to have the guts to say no, even if it means losing the supposed “kingdoms and crowns”. Stay alive, live happy, and fulfilled.
Vashti refused, even with the knowledge that she might loose her crown or her head. Esther refused to bow to Haman’s terror, risking her life. These fearless ladies exemplified real values in a way that we all can learn from.
THE KING’S COUNCIL
Although we understand that God was working behind the scenes to prepare Esther for the Jews' salvation so that we might all share in the grace that would eventually come through Jesus Christ, the impact of the king's counsellors should not be overlooked.
Esther 1:20 and 22, made it more compelling that these men were more concerned with their own interests than the king's or their nation’s. They took advantage of Vashti's narrative to spread terror, particularly to their wives. Their lust for power and little interest in developing good relationships with their families were very apparent. It is not so difficult to predict how much abuse and control the wives of people with this mindset may be forced to put up with. Our associations must carefully choosen. We must esure that they are Godly so that we are not alienated from our reality.
In Esther 2:1 the king remembered and missed queen Vashti, but the law was already passed. He couldn't overturn it. He had to start another long process of choosing a new queen all over again. Thus making a hasty judgement based on a fleeting emotion can be damaging. We need to remember this and be careful in our rage. Think wise, think long before making decisions when in anger.
Shalom.
Korede Fagbolade