Esther 1 is a story of contrasts. Vashti defies the king, and King Xerses chooses Esther to take her place. Why does Vashti decide to disobey the king and lose everything?

In the ancient world, wives were allowed to come to the banquet. But once the drinking got out of hand, the wives went home, and the men brought in the dancing girls and the concubines.

As the queen, in refusing Xerses’ orders, she is essentially saying, “This is not my role. I will not do this.”

Vashti dares to say no.

Thus, in her answer, Vashti models the ethical line she will not cross. She is the woman who says no, even if it costs her everything.

The story presents two possible ways of living in Empire. Vashti takes a stand and loses everything, while Esther stays, and works the system from within.

Learn more about Esther in the Story of God Bible Commentary:
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