Esther 1:21

KJV

And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

KJV (with Strong's)

And the saying {H1697} pleased {H3190}{H5869} the king {H4428} and the princes {H8269}; and the king {H4428} did {H6213} according to the word {H1697} of Memucan {H4462}:

Complete Jewish Bible

This advice pleased the king and the officials, so the king did what Memukhan had suggested -

Berean Standard Bible

The king and his princes were pleased with this counsel; so the king did as Memucan had advised.

American Standard Version

And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 1:21 concludes the dramatic opening chapter by recording the decisive approval of King Ahasuerus and his princes for Memucan's counsel regarding Queen Vashti. This verse signifies the immediate and unconditional implementation of the decree to depose Vashti, thereby setting in motion the chain of events that will ultimately lead to the search for a new queen and the providential elevation of Esther to the throne, fundamentally shaping the future of the Persian Empire and the Jewish people within it.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Esther 1:21 serves as the culmination of the initial conflict presented in the book of Esther. The chapter opens with King Ahasuerus displaying his immense wealth and power through elaborate banquets. The narrative quickly escalates when, during a climactic feast, the king commands Queen Vashti to appear before him, an order she defiantly refuses ([Esther 1:12](/esther/1-12 "Esther 1:12 - Vashti's Refusal")). This act of insubordination creates a crisis within the royal court, leading the king's seven wise princes to deliberate on how to address such an unprecedented challenge to royal and patriarchal authority. Memucan, one of these princes, proposes a radical solution: a royal decree to depose Vashti and establish a new law ensuring female submission throughout the empire ([Esther 1:16-20](/esther/1-16 "Esther 1:16-20 - Memucan's Counsel and Proposed Decree")). Esther 1:21 then records the king's and his advisors' immediate and unanimous acceptance of this counsel, sealing Vashti's fate and clearing the path for the subsequent events of the book.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Esther unfold within the vast Achaemenid Persian Empire, specifically during the reign of King Ahasuerus, widely identified with Xerxes I (486-465 BC). Persian kings held absolute power, and their decrees, once issued, were considered immutable ([Daniel 6:8](/daniel/6-8 "Daniel 6:8 - The Immutability of Persian Law")). The grand feasts described in [Esther 1:3-8](/esther/1-3 "Esther 1:3-8 - Ahasuerus's Great Feast") are consistent with historical accounts of Persian royal extravagance. The cultural context was profoundly patriarchal, where the authority of men, especially husbands, was paramount. Vashti's refusal was therefore not merely a personal slight but a perceived threat to the entire social fabric, potentially undermining male authority across the empire. Memucan's advice, and its acceptance, reflects this deep-seated concern for maintaining societal order and the established hierarchy.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Esther. Firstly, it underscores the **absolute nature of royal authority** in the Persian Empire, where the king's word, once solidified by decree, was unchallengeable and immediately executed. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **societal order and patriarchal authority**, as Memucan's counsel was driven by the perceived need to prevent widespread female insubordination and ensure that "all wives will honor their husbands" ([Esther 1:20](/esther/1-20 "Esther 1:20 - The Purpose of the Decree")). Thirdly, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **divine providence**, even though God is never explicitly mentioned in the book. The seemingly arbitrary human decisions and political maneuvers, such as Vashti's deposition, are ultimately orchestrated by an unseen hand to prepare the way for Esther's elevation and the salvation of her people, foreshadowing the crucial role she will play later in the narrative ([Esther 4:14](/esther/4-14 "Esther 4:14 - Mordecai's Challenge to Esther")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pleased (Hebrew, _yatav'_):** This verb means "to be good, right, pleasing, agreeable." Its use here indicates that Memucan's counsel was not merely accepted as a necessary evil, but resonated positively with both the king and his princes. It implies that the proposed solution aligned with their values, concerns, and understanding of justice and order, making the decision unanimous and readily embraced.
* **Did according (Hebrew, _'asah'_):** This verb signifies "to do, make, perform, execute." The phrasing "the king did according to the word of Memucan" emphasizes the immediate and complete implementation of the counsel. It highlights the king's decisive action and the swiftness with which royal decrees were enacted in the Persian Empire, underscoring the finality of Vashti's deposition.
* **Word (Hebrew, _davar'_):** While literally meaning "word," in this context, _davar_ refers to Memucan's entire counsel, his proposal, or his decree. It encompasses the advice, the reasoning behind it, and the specific actions recommended. The king's adherence to Memucan's "word" demonstrates the significant influence of his advisors in shaping royal policy and action, even in matters of personal and domestic affairs.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the saying pleased the king and the princes;":** This clause reveals the immediate and widespread approval of Memucan's counsel within the highest echelons of the Persian court. The "saying" refers to Memucan's entire proposal to depose Vashti and issue a decree concerning women's submission. The fact that it "pleased" both the king and his princes indicates a consensus that this solution was not only politically expedient but also aligned with their shared understanding of social order and royal authority. This collective agreement lends weight and legitimacy to the subsequent action.
* **"and the king did according to the word of Memucan:":** This second clause describes the swift and decisive action taken by King Ahasuerus. It signifies the immediate implementation of Memucan's advice. The king, with his absolute authority, acted directly upon the counsel, transforming a proposal into an irreversible royal decree. This action seals Vashti's fate and sets the stage for the search for a new queen, which will ultimately bring Esther into the narrative. It underscores the power of the king's word and the finality of his decisions.

#### Literary Devices
Esther 1:21 employs several literary devices to advance the narrative and underscore its themes. **Narrative Economy** is evident in the concise way the verse summarizes the resolution of the initial crisis, quickly moving the plot forward without lingering on the deliberations. This swift resolution emphasizes the absolute power of the king and the finality of his decisions. The verse also subtly employs **Foreshadowing**, as Vashti's removal, seemingly a consequence of human pride and societal anxieties, providentially clears the path for Esther's eventual rise to power, an event crucial for the salvation of the Jewish people. While not explicit, there's a touch of **Irony** in how the seemingly all-powerful king, whose word is law, is so easily swayed by the counsel of one of his advisors, Memucan, highlighting the influence of the court and the vulnerability of even absolute monarchs to external pressures and advice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 1:21, though a secular-sounding verse, is deeply significant for understanding the unfolding of God's sovereign plan, even in contexts where He is not explicitly named. The immediate and unanimous acceptance of Memucan's counsel, leading to Vashti's deposition, serves as a crucial turning point. It demonstrates that human decisions, even those driven by pride, fear, or cultural norms, can be instruments in the hand of a greater divine purpose. The seemingly arbitrary or even unjust actions of human rulers are ultimately subject to God's overarching will, preparing the way for His chosen instruments to fulfill His redemptive purposes. This verse subtly introduces the theme of divine providence, where God works behind the scenes, orchestrating events to protect His people and advance His plan, even when human actors are unaware of His involvement.

* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand")
* [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 1:21 invites us to reflect on the nature of authority, decision-making, and the unseen hand of providence in our lives. We see how a seemingly minor domestic dispute, amplified by cultural norms and political anxieties, leads to a royal decree with far-reaching consequences. This reminds us that our actions, and the advice we give or receive, can have ripple effects beyond our immediate comprehension. It challenges us to consider the wisdom and motivations behind the counsel we seek and offer. Furthermore, the verse subtly encourages a posture of faith, even when circumstances appear to be driven purely by human will or chance. Just as Vashti's removal, though born of human decree, cleared the path for Esther's elevation, so too can seemingly negative or challenging events in our lives be part of a larger, divinely orchestrated plan for our good and for His glory. We are called to trust that God is at work, even when His presence is not explicitly evident, guiding history and individual lives toward His ultimate purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern wise counsel in my own life, and what motivates the advice I give to others?**
* **In what ways have I seen seemingly arbitrary or negative events in my life ultimately lead to unexpected opportunities or blessings?**
* **How does the concept of God's unseen providence in Esther encourage me to trust Him even when I cannot see His hand at work?**

### FAQ

**Why was Memucan's advice so readily accepted by the king and princes?**

Answer: Memucan's advice was readily accepted because it addressed a perceived crisis of authority that resonated deeply with the patriarchal values of the Persian court. Vashti's refusal to obey the king's command was not just a personal affront; it was seen as a dangerous precedent that could encourage insubordination among women throughout the vast empire, potentially undermining the authority of every husband ([Esther 1:17](/esther/1-17 "Esther 1:17 - Memucan's Warning")). His counsel offered a decisive, public, and legally binding solution that would reassert royal authority and reinforce societal order, making it highly appealing to the king and his advisors who shared these concerns.

**Does the swiftness of the king's action imply anything about his character?**

Answer: The swiftness of the king's action in [Esther 1:21](/esther/1-21 "Esther 1:21 - The King's Decision") highlights several aspects of his character, consistent with historical accounts of Xerxes I. It suggests he was impulsive and prone to acting decisively on the advice of his inner circle, particularly when his authority or pride was challenged. His immediate implementation of Memucan's word, without apparent further deliberation, underscores his absolute power and the finality of his decrees, but also perhaps a lack of independent, reflective judgment, making him susceptible to influence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther 1:21, though seemingly a mundane historical detail about a pagan king's decree, subtly points to the overarching sovereignty of God and His providential working, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. The removal of Queen Vashti, a seemingly arbitrary act driven by human pride and political expediency, served as a crucial step in God's unseen plan to elevate Esther, a Jewish woman, to a position of influence for the salvation of her people. This foreshadows the divine orchestration of history for the grander purpose of salvation through Jesus Christ. Just as a human decree cleared the way for a deliverer in Esther's time, God's eternal decree prepared the way for the ultimate Deliverer. Christ, the true King, unlike Ahasuerus, perfectly obeyed His Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")), thereby securing a salvation that no human decree could ever accomplish. While Ahasuerus's rule was earthly and temporary, Christ's kingdom is eternal and His authority absolute, established not by the counsel of men but by the sovereign will of God ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Christ's Kingdom and Redemption")). The seemingly chaotic human events in Esther ultimately served God's redemptive purposes, much like all of history is being governed by God to bring about the glorious reign of the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords"), Jesus Christ.

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 2:4

And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

Genesis 41:37

And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.

Esther 1:19

If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.