Matthew Henry's Bible commentary for Esther Chapter 1...
We find in this book, that even those Jews who were scattered in the province of the heathen, were taken care of, and were wonderfully preserved, when threatened with destruction. Though the name of God be not in this book, the finger of God is shown by minute events for the bringing about his people's deliverance. This history comes in between #Ezr 6; 7|. The royal feast of Ahasuerus. (1-9) Vashti's refusal to appear, The king's decree. (10-22) 1-9 The pride of Ahasuerus's heart rising with the grandeur of his kingdom, he made an extravagant feast. This was vain glory. Better is a dinner of herbs with quietness, than this banquet of wine, with all the noise and tumult that must have attended it. But except grace prevails in the heart, self-exaltation and self-indulgence, in one form or another, will be the ruling principle. Yet none did compel; so that if any drank to excess, it was their own fault. This caution of a heathen prince, even when he would show his generosity, may shame many called Christians, who, under pretence of sending the health round, send sin round, and death with it. There is a woe to them that do so; let them read it, and tremble, #Hab 2:15,16|. 10-22 Ahasuerus's feast ended in heaviness, by his own folly. Seasons of peculiar festivity often end in vexation. Superiors should be careful not to command what may reasonably be disobeyed. But when wine is in, men's reason departs from them. He that had rule over 127 provinces, had no rule over his own spirit. But whether the passion or the policy of the king was served by this decree, God's providence made way for Esther to the crown, and defeated Haman's wicked project, even before it had entered into his heart, and he arrived at his power. Let us rejoice that the Lord reigns, and will overrule the madness or folly of mankind to promote his own glory, and the safety and happiness of his people.
As much as it is true that the King had much power and his order had to be followed, can we really say that the Queen was wrong in refusing to honor the order of the king considering the circumstances under which it was given? What would you have done and why?
Chelesy Garrett's comment on 3/12/2010, 9:14am...
It doesn't really matter to me which chapter out of Ester that it is. I love the whole book of Ester, because if the book of Ester doesn't give you confidence or courage enough to stand up then I really and truely don't know what will.