Why did Queen Vashti refuse to appear before Xerxes?

Response

The story of Esther begins with a portrayal of King Xerxes (or Ahasuerus) of Persia celebrating with the prominent men of his kingdom. After a week of feasting, the king summoned Queen Vashti to appear before him. It was stated that this was done “to exhibit her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was attractive” «to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to show the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. », (Esther 1:11). Nevertheless, Queen Vashti declined to come before the king and his men; “then the king was enraged and burned with anger” (verse 12).

The text itself does not explicitly explain why Vashti refused to appear. Various theories have been proposed. As per Esther 1:11, Queen Vashti was instructed to appear “wearing her royal crown,” and a rabbinical tradition suggests that this meant she was to wear only her royal crown—essentially being asked to appear nude. According to this tradition, Queen Vashti refused because she did not wish to be exhibited before a group of lecherous, intoxicated men. This interpretation is not present in the biblical text and lacks historical support.

However, it is probable that Vashti declined to appear due to the likelihood of facing humiliation. The king and his men had been reveling and drinking for seven days. It is highly unlikely that their intentions in summoning her to the gathering were honorable. While the specifics are not provided, the context—particularly the mention of her beauty—suggests that her presence at the feast was intended for the amusement of the men in some manner.

Queen Vashti probably understood the potential repercussions of defying the king, yet she chose to refuse. One of the king’s wise men, named Memucan, perceived a dangerous precedent being established: “If it pleases the king, let a royal decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it will not be altered, that Vashti shall come no more before King Ahasuerus. And let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she” (Esther 1:19).

Queen Vashti has committed a wrongdoing, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the people of all the provinces of King Xerxes. The behavior of the queen will be known to all the women, leading them to disrespect their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes ordered Queen Vashti to appear before him, but she refused.’ Today, the Persian and Median noblewomen who have heard about the queen’s actions will react in a similar manner to all the king’s nobles. This will result in continuous disrespect and discord” (Esther 1:16-18). Such a negative example set by Queen Vashti must be dealt with severely, as Memucan suggested.

Xerxes agreed with his adviser’s assessment, and as a result, Vashti was forbidden from appearing before the king ever again. Her position as queen was to be given to someone “better than she” «If it pleases the king, let a royal decree be issued and recorded in the laws of the Persians and Medes, so that it cannot be revoked, that Vashti is never to come before King Ahasuerus again; and let the king give her royal position to another woman who is better than she. », (Esther 1:19). The removal of Queen Vashti from the throne created a vacancy in the Persian kingdom. Chapter 1 thus sets the stage for the introduction of Esther, an improbable candidate for queen, being an orphaned Jewess raised by a cousin.

Despite Esther’s apparent unsuitability, God selected her to carry out a significant task of safeguarding the Jewish people from annihilation. Even today, Jews worldwide commemorate Esther and the salvation she brought about with the Feast of Purim. Many scholars believe this is the same feast that Jesus observed in John 5:1.