Esther 1:10

KJV

¶ On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,

KJV (with Strong's)

On the seventh {H7637} day {H3117}, when the heart {H3820} of the king {H4428} was merry {H2896} with wine {H3196}, he commanded {H559} Mehuman {H4104}, Biztha {H968}, Harbona {H2726}, Bigtha {H903}, and Abagtha {H5}, Zethar {H2242}, and Carcas {H3752}, the seven {H7651} chamberlains {H5631} that served {H8334} in the presence {H6440} of Ahasuerus {H325} the king {H4428},

Complete Jewish Bible

On the seventh day, when the king was in high spirits from the wine, he ordered Mehuman, Bizta, Harvona, Bigta, Avagta, Zetar and Karkas, the seven officers who attended him,

Berean Standard Bible

On the seventh day, when the king’s heart was merry with wine, he ordered the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas—

American Standard Version

On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that ministered in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 1:10 marks a critical turning point in the unfolding drama of the Persian court, detailing King Ahasuerus's command on the seventh and final day of his lavish feast. In a state of heightened spirits, "merry with wine," the king dispatches seven named chamberlains to summon Queen Vashti. This seemingly impulsive decision, born of revelry and absolute power, inadvertently sets in motion a chain of events that will lead to Vashti's dethronement and, ultimately, the providential rise of Esther, paving the way for the deliverance of the Jewish people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the climax of a grand, prolonged display of King Ahasuerus's immense wealth, power, and glory, as described in [Esther 1:1-9](/esther/1 "Esther 1 - Ahasuerus's Feast and Vashti's Disobedience"). The narrative opens with a 180-day exhibition of the kingdom's splendor, followed by a special seven-day feast for all the people in the citadel of Susa. Verse 10 specifically focuses on the final day of this concluding banquet, a moment of heightened revelry and royal self-indulgence. The king's command here directly precedes his summons of Queen Vashti in [Esther 1:11](/esther/1-11 "Esther 1:11 - King Ahasuerus Summons Vashti"), which then precipitates her refusal and subsequent dethronement, thereby creating the vacancy that Esther will eventually fill. Thus, this verse acts as the immediate catalyst for the central plot development of the book.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Ahasuerus is widely identified with Xerxes I (486-465 BC), ruler of the vast Achaemenid Persian Empire, which stretched "from India even unto Ethiopia" ([Esther 1:1](/esther/1-1 "Esther 1:1 - Extent of Ahasuerus's Empire")). Susa served as one of the empire's key capitals, known for its opulent palaces and grand ceremonies. Persian kings were renowned for their absolute authority, and their word was law, even when issued under the influence of alcohol. Feasts were not merely social gatherings but significant political events, demonstrating royal power and generosity. The "chamberlains" (Hebrew: *sārîsîm*) were high-ranking court officials, often eunuchs, who held positions of immense trust and proximity to the king, serving as his personal attendants and executors of his will. Their specific naming in this verse adds a touch of historical verisimilitude and underscores their direct involvement in the king's fateful command.
* **Key Themes:** Esther 1:10 subtly introduces and reinforces several key themes that permeate the book of Esther. Firstly, the **perils of intoxication and human folly** are highlighted, as the king's "merry" state directly leads to an impulsive and consequential decision, illustrating how impaired judgment can unravel established order. This resonates with wisdom literature warnings about the dangers of excessive drink, as seen in [Proverbs 20:1](/proverbs/20-1 "Proverbs 20:1 - Wine is a Mocker") and [Proverbs 23:29-35](/proverbs/23-29 "Proverbs 23:29-35 - Woes of Drunkenness"). Secondly, the verse underscores the **absolute and often capricious nature of royal authority** in the Persian Empire; the king's whims, even when fueled by wine, were commands to be obeyed without question. Lastly, though not explicitly stated, the verse sets the stage for the overarching theme of **divine providence**, where God's hidden hand works through human actions, even the flawed and ungodly ones, to accomplish His sovereign purposes, a theme central to the entire narrative of [the book of Esther](/esther/1 "The Book of Esther").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Merry with wine (Hebrew, _ṭôḇ lēḇ'_):** This phrase literally translates to "good of heart" or "pleasant of heart." However, in this context, particularly when associated with wine, it denotes a state of being jovial, uninhibited, and perhaps overly confident due to intoxication. It implies a loosening of self-control and a diminished capacity for sound judgment, rather than a state of genuine spiritual contentment or moral goodness. The king's heart is "good" in the sense that it is light and unburdened by sobriety, making him prone to impulsive and ill-advised commands.
* **Chamberlains (Hebrew, _sārîsîm'_):** While the term *sārîs* can generally refer to a court official, it often specifically denotes a eunuch. In ancient Near Eastern courts, eunuchs were highly trusted servants who managed the royal household, including the harem, because they posed no threat to the royal lineage. Their close proximity and direct service "in the presence of Ahasuerus the king" underscore their intimate access and crucial role as instruments of the king's will. The naming of all seven emphasizes their collective responsibility and the official nature of the king's command, despite his inebriated state.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"On the seventh day":** This specifies the culmination of the king's week-long feast, indicating a point of heightened celebration and likely exhaustion for the attendees. The final day of such a prolonged event would naturally lead to a climax of revelry, setting the stage for an impulsive decision.
* **"when the heart of the king was merry with wine":** This clause provides the crucial motivation for the king's subsequent command. His inebriated state is presented as the direct cause of his actions, highlighting a lack of self-control and impaired judgment. This is not merely a descriptive detail but a causal link to the dramatic events that follow.
* **"he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains":** The naming of these seven specific individuals emphasizes the king's direct and personal involvement, even in his drunken state. It also highlights the specific agents through whom his will is to be executed. The number "seven" often carries symbolic weight in biblical narratives, suggesting completeness or divine orchestration, even in a pagan context.
* **"that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king":** This phrase underscores the high status and trusted position of these chamberlains. They were not merely servants but close attendants, privy to the king's inner circle, making their role in conveying the king's controversial command all the more significant.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative in Esther 1:10 employs several subtle but effective literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is evident in the king's state of mind; his being "merry with wine" immediately suggests that a rash or ill-advised command is imminent, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation with Vashti. There is also a degree of **irony** at play: the king, in his attempt to display ultimate power and control through a grand feast, inadvertently initiates a sequence of events that will lead to his own humiliation (Vashti's defiance) and the eventual elevation of a Jewish queen, a testament to God's hidden hand working through human folly. The detailed **catalog** or listing of the seven chamberlains' names adds a sense of historical realism and specificity, grounding the narrative in a tangible court setting and emphasizing the precise instruments of the king's will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 1:10, though seemingly a minor detail about a pagan king's revelry, is profoundly significant in its theological implications. It illustrates how human weakness, particularly the perils of uncontrolled indulgence and the abuse of absolute power, can inadvertently serve as a catalyst for God's sovereign plan. The king's drunken command, born of human folly, becomes the very crack in the wall through which divine providence will enter, setting in motion the events that lead to Esther's elevation and the salvation of her people. This highlights a key theme throughout the book of Esther: God's hidden hand working behind the scenes, orchestrating circumstances and using imperfect human agents—even pagan rulers—to accomplish His perfect will, without ever being explicitly named. It underscores that God's sovereignty is not limited by human sin or chaotic circumstances, but rather works through them.

* [Proverbs 20:1](/proverbs/20-1 "Proverbs 20:1 - Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging")
* [Proverbs 23:29-35](/proverbs/23-29 "Proverbs 23:29-35 - Warnings against drunkenness")
* [Daniel 5:1-4](/daniel/5-1 "Daniel 5:1-4 - Belshazzar's Feast and Sacrilege")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in Esther 1:10 serves as a potent reminder of the far-reaching consequences of impaired judgment and unchecked authority. The king's decision, made in a moment of self-indulgent revelry, irrevocably alters the course of his kingdom and, ultimately, the destiny of a nation. For us today, this verse calls for sober self-reflection on the importance of self-control and wise decision-making, particularly when our judgment might be compromised by any form of excess—whether it be alcohol, anger, pride, or even unchecked ambition. It encourages us to consider the ripple effect of our choices, recognizing that even seemingly minor actions can have profound and unintended consequences. More profoundly, it offers comfort and hope by demonstrating that even in the midst of human folly and chaotic circumstances, God remains utterly sovereign, working all things together for His ultimate purposes. We are called to exercise wisdom and restraint, but also to trust in God's overarching plan, knowing that He can redeem and redirect even our mistakes and the mistakes of others for His glory and our good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the king's state of mind in this verse challenge my own understanding of wise leadership and self-control?**
* **In what areas of my life might "being merry with wine" (or any form of excess or distraction) impair my judgment and lead to unintended consequences?**
* **How does recognizing God's providential hand in seemingly chaotic events (like Ahasuerus's command) encourage me in my own life and trust in His sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**Who were the "seven chamberlains" and why are their names listed?**

Answer: The "seven chamberlains" (Hebrew: *sārîsîm*) were high-ranking, trusted officials in the Persian court, often eunuchs. Eunuchs were frequently employed in royal households because, being unable to father children, they posed no dynastic threat to the king and were considered highly loyal and reliable. Their roles included managing the royal household, attending to the king, and overseeing the harem. Their names—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas—are listed to add a sense of historical authenticity and specificity to the narrative. This detail emphasizes that the king's command was not a vague instruction but a direct order delivered through specific, high-ranking, and trusted agents who "served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king," highlighting their immediate access and authority to carry out his will. Their specific naming also sets them apart as key players in the unfolding drama, particularly as they are the ones who must convey the king's controversial summons to Queen Vashti in [Esther 1:11](/esther/1-11 "Esther 1:11 - King Ahasuerus Summons Vashti").

**What is the significance of the king being "merry with wine"?**

Answer: The king being "merry with wine" is a crucial detail that serves as a catalyst for the entire narrative of Esther. It signifies a state of intoxication that leads to impaired judgment and rash decision-making. In this condition, King Ahasuerus acts impulsively, demanding that Queen Vashti display herself before his drunken guests ([Esther 1:11](/esther/1-11 "Esther 1:11 - King Ahasuerus Summons Vashti")). This command, born of a lack of self-control and an inflated sense of power, directly leads to Vashti's refusal and subsequent dethronement. The biblical narrative often highlights the dangers of drunkenness and its capacity to lead to foolishness and sin, as seen in passages like [Proverbs 20:1](/proverbs/20-1 "Proverbs 20:1 - Wine is a mocker") and [Isaiah 28:7](/isaiah/28-7 "Isaiah 28:7 - Priests and Prophets Stagger from Wine"). In Esther, the king's inebriated state is not just a descriptive detail; it is the direct cause of the pivotal event that creates the vacancy for a new queen, thereby opening the door for God's providential plan to save His people through Esther.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly arbitrary and flawed command of King Ahasuerus in Esther 1:10, born of human indulgence and a desire for self-glorification, serves as a powerful type and shadow of God's sovereign hand working through human imperfection to accomplish His perfect will. Just as the king's drunken decree inadvertently set the stage for the salvation of the Jewish people through Esther, so too did the greatest act of human folly and sin—the crucifixion of Jesus Christ—become the very means of humanity's redemption. The world, in its rebellion and ignorance, "crucified the Lord of glory" ([1 Corinthians 2:8](/1_corinthians/2-8 "1 Corinthians 2:8 - Wisdom of God and Crucifixion")), yet this act was part of God's eternal plan, "delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God" ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Foreknowledge and Jesus' Crucifixion")). Christ, the true King, unlike Ahasuerus, rules not by capricious whim or inebriated command, but by perfect wisdom, justice, and self-sacrificial love. His "command" to His people is not to display themselves for His glory, but to follow Him in humble obedience and to spread the good news of His kingdom ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). The dethronement of Vashti and the raising up of Esther can be seen as a faint echo of Christ's establishment of a new covenant, where the old, disobedient "bride" (Israel under the Law) is set aside, and a new "bride" (the Church) is chosen and prepared to be presented to Him "without spot or wrinkle or any such thing" ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church")). Ultimately, the lavish feast of Ahasuerus foreshadows the ultimate, perfect feast—the Marriage Supper of the Lamb ([Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")), where Christ, the King of Kings, will celebrate with His redeemed bride, not in human folly, but in eternal glory and perfect communion.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Esther 7:9

And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.

Judges 16:25

And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.

2 Samuel 13:28

Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

Ecclesiastes 7:2

[It is] better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that [is] the end of all men; and the living will lay [it] to his heart.

Ecclesiastes 7:4

The heart of the wise [is] in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools [is] in the house of mirth.

Proverbs 20:1

¶ Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Genesis 43:34

And he took [and sent] messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.