A Powerful Ruler Who Makes Bad Decisions
King Xerxes is a powerful ruler, but he doesn’t make wise decisions. Here are several examples:
During his reign, he celebrates his wealth and splendor for 180 days. Following this is a weeklong banquet, with an abundance of wine.
A Rash Edict
On the last day, Xerxes—likely under the influence—commands Queen Vashti to come before everyone wearing her crown.
We could understand this command as to be sure to wear her crown. Yet another understanding is that it’s a command to wear only her crown. This second interpretation would certainly explain why she refuses. Regardless, Xerxes is incensed.
The king asks his aides what to do, and they recommend he depose Vashti. He agrees.
A Selfish Solution
Later, he calms down and remembers what happened. His aides propose an elaborate plan to replace Vashti. He agrees to their suggestion. Out of hundreds of women, possibly thousands, he picks Esther and makes her queen.
In this, we see Xerxes making a rash command while he was drunk. Rather than admit his error, he follows the advice of his aides to deal with the fallout by banishing Vashti.
When they recommend a plan to replace her, he agrees even though this will forever negatively impact hundreds of women. But he doesn’t care.
Misplaced Authorization
Later, Haman—the king’s highest official—wants to kill Esther’s Uncle Mordecai, along with the rest of the Jews. Haman maneuvers Xerxes into giving him the needed authority.
Using the king’s signet ring, he issues an edict to kill all the Jews and plunder their property. Here we see Xerxes giving Haman full authority to act on his behalf.
Haman issues an edict designed to cause the death of tens of thousands of Jews throughout the kingdom. But because the king fails to investigate Haman’s claims, he’s unaware of what’s poised to happen.
Fortunately, Esther tactfully brings the situation to Xerxes’s attention. Though the edict Haman issued under Xerxes’s authorization is irrevocable, a new edict can offset it.
Another Repeat
Not learning from his earlier mistake of giving Haman his signet ring, Xerxes now gives it to Mordecai, who issues an edict of his own.
Though this protects the Jews from annihilation, it brings about the death of 75,000 others.
Though it’s wise to seek advice, how do we know when to not follow the counsel we receive?
When have we wrongly given our authority to others?
[Read about Xerxes in Esther 1, Esther 3:10–15, and Esther 8:1–14. Discover more in Daniel 9:1.]
Learn about 100 more biblical characters in More Old Testament Sinners and Saints, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Get your copy today.
More Old Testament Sinners and Saints is part of the Bible Character Sketches series.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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