Esther Chapter 1 (Original 1611 KJV Bible) |
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This is the text and a scan of the actual, original, first printing of the 1611 King James Version, the 'HE' Bible, for Esther Chapter 1. The KJV does not get more original or authentic than this. View Esther Chapter 1 as text-only. Click to switch to the standard King James Version of Esther Chapter 1
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CHAP. I.
1 Ahasuerus maketh royall feasts. 10 Vasthi, sent for, refuseth to come. 13 Ahasuerus, by the counsell of Memucan, maketh the decree of mens soueraigntie.
5 And when these dayes were expired, the king made a feast vnto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both vnto great and small, seuen dayes, in the court of the garden of the kings palace,5
6 Where were white, greene and blew hangings, fastened with cords of fine linnen, and purple, to siluer rings, and pillers of marble: the beds were of gold and siluer, vpon a pauement of red, and blewe, and white, and blacke marble.6
The Kings, and Queenes feasts.
7 And they gaue them drinke in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diuers one from another) and royall wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.7
10 ¶ On the seuenth day, when the heart of the King was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seuen chamberlens that serued in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,10
11 To bring Uasthi the Queene before the king, with the Crowne royall, to shew the people, and the Princes her beautie: for she was faire to looke on.11
12 But the Queene Uasthi refused to come at the Kings commandement by his chamberlens: therefore was the King very wroth, and his anger burned in him.12
14 And the next vnto him, was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshis, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seuen Princes of Persia, and Media, which saw the Kings face, and which sate the first in the kingdome.)14
15 What shall wee doe vnto the Queene Uasthi, according to law, because she hath not performed the commandement of the king Ahasuerus, by the chamberlens?15
19 If it please the king, let there go a royall commandement from him, and let it bee written among the lawes of the Persians, and the Medes, that it be not altered, that Uasthi come no more before king Ahasuerus, and let the king giue her royall estate vnto another that is better then she.19
21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan:21
22 For he sent letters into all the kings prouinces, into euery prouince, according to the writing thereof, and to euery people after their language, that euery man should beare rule in his owne house, and that it should be published according to the language of euerie people.22
KJV
View Wesley's Notes for Esther Chapter 1
1:1 Ahasuerus - Many suppose this to be Darius Hystapas, for his kingdom was thus vast, and he subdued India, as Herodotus reports: and one of his wives was called Atossa, differing little from Hadassah, which is Esther's other name, #Esth 2:7|. Provinces - So seven new provinces were added to those hundred and twenty mentioned, #Dan 6:1|.
1:2 Sat - Was settled in the peaceable possession of it. Shushan - The chief or royal city. Shushan might be the proper name of the palace, which thence was given to the whole city. Here the kings of Persia used to keep their courts in winter, as at Exbatana in summer.
1:4 Many days - Making every day a magnificent feast, either for all his princes, or for some of them, who might come to the feast successively, as the king ordered them to do. The Persian feasts are much celebrated in authors, for their length and luxury.
1:6 Beds - For in those eastern countries, they did not then sit at tables as we do, but rested or leaned upon beds or couches.
1:8 The law - According to this law which the king had now made, that none should compel another to drink more than he pleased. How does this Heathen prince shame many, that are called Christians, who think they do not make their friends welcome, unless they make them drunk, and under pretence of sending the health round, send the sin round, and death with it!
1:9 Women - While the king entertained the men. For this was the common custom of the Persians, that men and women did not feast together.
1:12 Refused - Being favoured in this refusal by the law of Persia, which was to keep mens wives, and especially queens, from the view of other men.
1:13 The times - The histories of former times, what princes have done in such cases as this was.
1:14 Saw - Who had constant freedom of access to the king, and familiar converse with him: which is thus expressed, because the Persian kings were very seldom seen by their subjects. Sat - Who were his chief counsellors and officers.
1:18 Contempt - Contempt in the wives, and thereupon wrath in the husbands; and consequently strife in families.
Esther Chapter 1 Sidenote References (from Original 1611 KJV Bible):
5 Hebr. found.
6 Or, violet. , Or, of porphyre, and marble, and alabaster, and stone of blew colour.
7 Hebr. wine of the kingdome. , Heb. according to the hand of the king.
10 Or, Eunuches.
11 Hebr. good of countenance.
12 Hebr. which was by the hand of his Eunuches.
14 Ezra.7.14.
15 Hebr. what to doe?
19 Heb. if it be good with the king. , Heb. from before him. , Heb. that it passe not away. , Hebr. vnto her companion.
21 Heb. was good in the eyes of the king.
22 Hebr. that one should publish it according to the language of his people.
* Courtesy of Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Pennsylvania
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