_Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia)._ ARTAXERXES By almost universal acknowledgment now, the sovereign here referred to is Artaxerxes, surnamed Longimanus, or the long.handed; the term Ahasuerus being, like that of Pharaoh,... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel _ POLITICAL PRUDENCE It is not entirely, however, in moral recoil that sanction is thus given in law to the better practice. There is a touch of political prudence in it. For here at the feast are princes from all parts, with their retai... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the third year of his reign, he made a feast._ THE OCCASION OF THE FEAST It was the third year of the reign of Xerxes. Now we know from the Greek historian Herodotus that in that very year Xerxes “summoned a council of the principal Persians, as well to hear their opinions as to declare his own... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the heart of the king was merry with wine._ INTOXICATION There is a difference between not being intoxicated and being sober. A person may be able to speak and to walk, and yet may be guilty of excess in the use of strong drink. He may not have lost the use of his senses, and yet have lost t... [ Continue Reading ]
_To bring Vashti the queen before the king._ VANITY Whatever be the ruling passion of a man, whether it be pride, vanity, or anger, or lust, or impiety, or even benevolence, it will display itself when he is inflamed by strong drink. Vanity was the ruling passion in the breast of the Persian monarc... [ Continue Reading ]
_What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law._ THE GREAT ADVANTAGE OF LAWS Here let us remark the great advantage of laws. Law is mind without passion; and it is better to have a code of laws, however bad, than to have none but the will of a man. Had the king on this occasion acted acc... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Memucan answered before the king._ HASTY COUNSELLORS If they had been wise, as counsellors ought to be, they would have been in no haste to give judgment in a matter so important as that which was submitted to them. They would have delayed till passion had cooled, and right reason had been re... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small._ WIVES TO HONOUR THEIR HUSBANDS All the wives too are included, for they are all “to give honour to their husbands, both to the great and small.” Well, the great, the really great, will get the honour easily, and could do... [ Continue Reading ]