Esther 1

The story begins during the extravagant reign of King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) in Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire. King Xerxes holds a lavish, six-month-long feast for all his officials and governors. On the final day, the King, drunk, commands his beautiful wife, Queen Vashti, to appear before the guests to display her beauty. Vashti refuses to come. The King’s advisors panic, fearing this defiance will set a precedent for disobedience among all the women of the empire. Xerxes swiftly deposes Queen Vashti and seeks a new queen.