Esther - Feasting with the King & Queen

5: 12. Tomorrow am I invited unto her also with the king. Haman had good reason to be honored as it was rare for subject to dine with royalty. Interesting to note here that the king would recline on a couch drinking the best wine while a 'guest' would be seated on the floor and served something inferior. One wonders if the scene in 'One Night with the King' is accurate. More than likely Haman was seated on the floor at the King's feet. Bible Manners and Customs. P. 205.

Esther - The Persian Queen

V2:17. We all know Esther became queen but she wasn't the king's only wife. She was just the one who had permission to wear the crown. She was the 'chief wife' or the 'queen-consort'. She was head of the female apartments, concubines would prostrate themselves before her, and when the king had a feast, she would have one for the women. She had her own money as was established by law. She could wear what she liked. This is shown very well in 'One Night with the King' with the beautiful wardrobe Esther wore. Bible Manners and Customs. P. 204.

Esther - The King's House

Esther 2:18 Out of the house of the women unto the King's house. Where the women were kept was separate from the rest of the palace. The virgins had their own apartments, there was on for the concubines and for the queen and the other wives. The first two were run by the chamberlains or eunuchs. The Queen was in charge of herself and NOT watched over by a chamberlain but had one who followed her orders. It is unclear in 'One Night with the King' whether the eunuch who stayed with Esther followed her orders or ruled over her. Understanding the custom clarifies the situation. Bible Manners and Customs. P. 204.

Esther - Vashti's refusal

The Bible, like any other book, must be read in context to when it was written. Like in Literature classes in college, those who truly wish to understand the significance of certain verses, there is need to understand the custom behind it. Let's start in the book of Esther. In the movie 'One Night with the King' those around the Persian Ruler made him think his wife was having a feast to protest the war. The Bible says she had a feast for the women. (1:9) Truth was women had their feasts separately from the men. It was an ancient custom and one could say Persia was 'behind the times'. So when the King sent for Vashti, he was violating the tradition of the day and she was justified in her refusal, regardless of his reaction. Reference: Bible Manners and Customs. Page 203.