King Ahasuerus’ Executive Orders

What happens in the Oval Office these days is not new – note these Ex Orders from Esther…

Ex Order #1

1:5, 8, And when these days were completed, the king made a feast lasting seven days…for so the king had ordered all the officers of his household, that they should do according to each man’s pleasure.

Ex Order #2

1:10-12, He commanded Mehuman…to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing her royal crown, in order to show her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful to behold. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs; therefore the king was furious, and his anger burned within him.

Ex Order #3

1:19-20, If it pleases the king, let a royal decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it will not be altered, that Vashti shall come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she. When the king’s decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will honor their husbands, both great and small.”…the king did according to the word.

Ex Order #4

2:3, And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather all the beautiful young virgins to Shushan the citadel, into the women’s quarters, under the custody of Hegai the king’s eunuch, custodian of the women…4 It pleased the king and he did so. 

Ex Order #5

2:18, Then the king made a great feast, the Feast of Esther, for all his officials and servants; and he proclaimed a holiday in the provinces and gave gifts according to the generosity of a king.

Ex Order #6

3:2, And all the king’s servants who were within the king’s gate bowed and paid homage to Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him. 

Ex Order #7

3:10, 12, The king took his signet ring…gave it to Haman…A decree was written according to all that Haman commanded—to the king’s satraps,

Ex Order #8

7:9, Then the king said, “Hang him on it!”

Ex Order #9

8:10, And he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, sealed it with the king’s signet ring, and sent letters by couriers on horseback.

Ex Order #10

9:13-14, Let it be granted to the Jews who are in Shushan to do again tomorrow…so the king commanded this to be done; the decree was issued in Shushan, and they hanged Haman’s ten sons.