1-2. King Xerxes of Persia lived in his capital city of Susa and ruled one hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia.
10. By the seventh day, King Xerxes was feeling happy because of so much wine. And he asked his seven personal servants, Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas,
11. to bring Queen Vashti to him. The king wanted her to wear her crown and let his people and his officials see how beautiful she was.
12. The king's servants told Queen Vashti what he had said, but she refused to go to him, and this made him terribly angry.
13-14. The king called in the seven highest officials of Persia and Media. They were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. These men were very wise and understood all the laws and customs of the country, and the king always asked them what they thought about such matters.