# Day 197

# An Empire with No Queen

Esther 1:1–2:4

King Darius of Persia died. His son, Ahasuerus, took his place as king. Ahasuerus gave a grand feast at his palace in Shushan. The nobles of the empire partied for 180 days. All the people in Shushan came for the final seven days. The king commanded the queen’s servants to bring her into the party. He wanted everyone to see her beauty. But Queen Vashti, being modest, refused.

The king burned with anger. Vashti hadn’t obeyed his command! So he had a foolish thought: “All the women in my empire will now disrespect their husbands.” And Ahasuerus’s kingdom was vast—it stretched from India to Ethiopia.

“What shall I do with Vashti?” the king asked his counselors.

“Never see her again. Choose another queen.”

Ahasuerus sent letters throughout the empire. He declared that Vashti was no longer queen. Later, his anger cooled. Ahasuerus missed Queen Vashti. His counselors suggested, “Bring women from all the empire. Choose a new queen from among them.”

So young women were brought from everywhere. Hege, the palace servant, cared for them all.

Questions: Why didn’t Vashti want to come into the party? What did Ahasuerus do to find a new queen?