1. This is what happened during the time when Xerxes was king. Xerxes ruled over the 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia.
2. King Xerxes ruled from his throne in the capital city of Susa.
3. In the third year of Xerxes’ rule, he gave a party for his officers and leaders. The army leaders and important leaders from all of Persia and Media were there.
4. The party continued for 180 days. All during this time, King Xerxes was showing the great wealth of his kingdom and the majestic beauty and wealth of his palace.
5. And when the 180 days were over, King Xerxes gave another party that continued for seven days. It was held in the inside garden of the palace. All the people who were in the capital city of Susa were invited, from the most important to the least important.
6. The inside garden had white and blue linen hangings around the room. They were held in place with cords of white linen and purple material on silver rings and marble pillars. There were couches made of gold and silver. They were sitting on mosaic pavement made of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other expensive stones.
7. Wine was served in golden cups, and every cup was different. There was plenty of the king’s wine, because the king was very generous.
8. The king had given a command to his servants. He told them that each guest must be given as much wine as he wanted, and the wine server obeyed the king.
9. Queen Vashti also gave a party for the women in the king’s palace.
10-11. On the seventh day of the party, King Xerxes was in high spirits from drinking wine. He gave a command to the seven eunuchs who served him. The eunuchs were Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas. He commanded them to bring Queen Vashti to him wearing her royal crown. She was to come so that she could show her beauty to the leaders and important people. She was very beautiful.
12. But when the eunuchs told Queen Vashti about the king’s command, she refused to come. Then the king was very angry.