Esther 1:1

Remember that Ahasuerus was a general title, just as Pharaoh was the general title in Egypt, and Abimelech among the Philistines. There were many Pharaohs and many Abimelechs. So also among the Persians there were several that bore the name of Ahasuerus. Which Ahasuerus is meant is a question, but it is a matter of no importance; if it were, God would have told us. I take it, though, that he was Xerxes. One reason is the character of the man: huge resources, endless wealth, great luxury and vanity, and a habit of ruling by whim and doing whatever he pleased.

The name Ahasuerus is a title. It means the chief king, or the king of all kings. Xerxes, the son of Darius Hystaspes, bore this title, king of kings. The old carved inscriptions give him the same title. One of them reads: "I, the mighty king, king of kings, king of countries full of people, king of this great and mighty earth, far and near."

India was the eastern boundary of the Persian empire of Ahasuerus, as Ethiopia was its western boundary (Esther 1:1; Esther 8:9). India is not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture. But Solomon's ships may have visited it on their three-year voyages for sandalwood, apes, peacocks and the like (1 Kings 10:22).

When Darius the Mede received the kingdom there were 120 satrapies, or provinces. Now seven more had been added, though the day of great conquest was over. The man on the throne was bent on a lavish show of riches from secret places, treasures hidden in the dark, and a life of luxury.

The events that fill world history with their noise count for almost nothing in the inspired book. God mentions them only when they touch the history of His people in some way, or when they point ahead to prophetic events, or to conflicts between nations that will have Israel as their target.

It is a vivid picture of earthly splendour, without a thought of God, true or false. Nebuchadnezzar brought in religion of a base sort, and sought to compel it on all. Xerxes, for he it seems to be who now possessed the general title here used, showed himself, as Daniel said long previously, "far richer than all before him," thought of no one higher, and gave himself up to ostentatious indulgence.

It has often been noted that the name of God is not found in the Book of Esther. This is characteristic. God does not show Himself. The government of the world had fallen to that throne, with all its power and all its mistakes. But behind it God holds the reins by His providence. He watches over the carrying out of His purposes, and over everything needed to fulfil them. And He cares for His people, whatever their condition and whatever the power of their enemies.

There were still many Jews who chose to remain in Persia. If they had faith, it was so weak that there was no energy to get back to God's appointed place for them. The book of Esther then shows how God dealt with these Jews despite their lack of faith. Why is God's name never mentioned in the book? Because Israel had not submitted to God's authority. They were in such a state that God would not openly own them as His people, in keeping with what He had said in Hosea 1:9 — "not My people."

The book of Esther assumes the servitude to Gentile masters into which their own turning from God had brought His people. Yet even in that servitude at its worst — outside the land, the temple, the sacrifices, and the priesthood — the book shows the surest working of God's providence on their behalf against their enemies, however deadly and powerful.