This book is set during the time of Xerxes (Ahasuerus) the powerful King of Persia who reigned (486-465 BC) over a great empire (v1). The Book of Esther is unusual in that God’s name is never mentioned, but behind all that happens, the unseen God is clearly active.

A banquet was held in Xerxes’ third year as king (v3) and was for the king to show off how great he was (v4-8). The request for Queen Vashti to come was very degrading as she would have had to display herself to a room of drunken men (v9-12). Xerxes saw his wife as property. It is important that Christian men follow a Christ-like pattern in treating women with respect.

Sadly for the King, his advisers chose to flatter him and not tell him what he needed to hear (v13-18).  The response of banishing Vashti and introducing a new law about men ruling over their homes (v19-22) was the king sadly digging himself into a deeper hole.

When we feel angry we need to be so cautious about our response so not to take actions that can have terrible lasting consequences.