Book 17 Esther

17:001:001 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is
           Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over
           an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)

17:001:002 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne
           of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,

17:001:003 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his
           princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the
           nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: 

17:001:004 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the
           honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and
           fourscore days.

17:001:005 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto
           all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both
           unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden
           of the king’s palace;

17:001:006 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with
           cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of
           marble:  the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of
           red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.

17:001:007 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels
           being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance,
           according to the state of the king.

17:001:008 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: 
           for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his
           house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure.

17:001:009 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal
           house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.

17:001:010 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,

17:001:011 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown
           royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty:  for she
           was fair to look on.

17:001:012 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.

17:001:013 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for
           so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and
           judgment: 

17:001:014 And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha,
           Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of
           Persia and Media, which saw the king’s face, and which sat the
           first in the kingdom;)