May 25
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KING XERXES AND QUEEN VASHTI
A poem by ILMA
King Xerxes reigned over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia
At that time Xerxes ruled his empire from the fortress at Susa
In the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for his officials
He invited all the military officers in Persia and Media.
The celebration lasted 180 days-displaying opulent wealth
When it was all over, the king gave all the people a banquet
It included everyone from the greatest to the least of the people
It lasted seven days and was held at the palace garden.
On the seventh day, Xerxes told his eunuchs to bring Queen Vashti
He wanted the nobles and all the other men to gaze at her beauty
She was very beautiful but she refused to obey the King’s order
This made the king very furious and he burned with anger.
Xerxes immediately consulted with his wise advisers about the law
They told him to banish the queen for what she did was totally wrong
They said the queen has wronged not only the king but all citizens
Women will begin to despise heir husbands when they hear of it.
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MEMORY VERSE
Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also every noble and citizen throught your empire. – Esther 1:15
Read: Esther 1
If this story happened today, many women would be angered at why Queen Vashti was deposed just because she didn’t show up to be displayed by her husband to other men. She was deposed because her refusal to the king’s order would set a precedent to all the nobles and citizens to be disobeyed by their women.
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REFLECTION
• Why do women need to be under authority to their husbands?
• Why is important to follow orders from authority?