Esther 1:12

¹⁰ 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—

¹¹ to bring Queen Vashti before him, wearing her royal crown, to display her beauty to the people and officials. For she was beautiful to behold.

Queen Vashti, however, refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs. And the king became furious, and his anger burned within him.

¹³ Then the king consulted the wise men who knew the times, for it was customary for him to confer with the experts in law and justice.

¹⁴ His closest advisors were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who had personal access to the king and ranked highest in the kingdom.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Queen Vashti, however, refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs. And the king became furious, and his anger burned within him.
KJV: But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
WEB: But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by the eunuchs. Therefore the king was very angry, and his anger burned in him.
ASV: But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king`s commandment by the chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
DARBY: But the queen Vashti refused to come at the word of the king which was [sent] by the chamberlains; and the king was very wroth, and his fury burned in him.
BLB: And Queen Vashti refused to come at the word of the king that was by the hand of the eunuchs. And the king was very angry, and his rage burned within him.

ÅB: Men dronning Vasti nektet å komme etter den befaling kongen hadde sendt henne gjennom hoffmennene. Da ble kongen harmfull, og hans vrede ble opptent.
OTB: Men dronning Vashti nektet å komme etter kongens befaling formidlet av evnukkene. Da ble kongen rasende, og hans vrede brant i ham.
B1930: Men dronning Vasti nektet å komme efter den befaling kongen hadde sendt henne gjennem hoffmennene. Da blev kongen harmfull, og hans vrede optendtes.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Proverbs 19:12
A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
Read in context
1 Peter 3:1
Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives
Read in context
Proverbs 20:2
The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
Read in context
Deuteronomy 29:20
The LORD will never be willing to forgive him. Instead, His anger and jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse written in this book will fall upon him. The LORD will blot out his name from under heaven
Read in context
Exodus 32:22
“Do not be enraged, my lord,” Aaron replied. “You yourself know that the people are intent on evil.
Read in context
Nahum 1:6
Who can withstand His indignation? Who can endure His burning anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; even rocks are shattered before Him.
Read in context
Daniel 2:12
This response made the king so furious with anger that he gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
Read in context
Psalms 79:5
How long, O LORD? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire?
Read in context