Bridge to Esther

Esther 2:1

A Lonely King

1. Between chapters one and two, many sad things happened. When King Ahasuerus’ army went to fight the Greeks, they were badly beaten. Thousands of Persian fathers and sons died. Finally, after about four years, Ahasuerus returned home. Other history books tell us that for a while, he lived very wildly in sin. No doubt he was angry about having lost the war against his enemies. After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, when his angry feelings calmed down, he remembered his former wife Vashti, and what she had done when she refused to obey him, and what was decreed against her by the new law. He knew he could never change that law again and ask her for forgiveness and make her queen again. Persian law was unchangeable, even for kings!

Something to think about:

When King Ahasuerus finally came home, it didn’t quite feel like home to him. Sure, his loyal servants crowded around him, and no doubt many people flattered him in order to gain favors. But they were not true friends! He longed for someone who would listen to him, someone who really cared about him. If only he had not sent his wife Vashti away! Perhaps now he remembered how she used to listen to him and comfort him.

Maybe you can understand what Ahasuerus felt like, if after a busy day at school or work, you come home and no one is there to greet you or share time with you. I used to teach children that were called ‘latch key kids.’ They carried their house key on a strap around their neck because their parents were still at work when they got home, and they had to let themselves into an empty, locked house. But maybe you have never experienced that before, because one of your parents is always there, ready to greet you with a hug and maybe even a drink and snack. If you have such a homecoming each day, be sure to thank the Lord for that.

God gave you your parents so that you don’t need to be lonely. You ought to share your burdens with them. Maybe things happened in school that hurt you. Often people can hurt each other with unkind and nasty words they say; mean or laughing looks they give; or a snobby attitude of ‘you can’t play with us!’ Such things can hurt more than a scraped, bleeding knee. You should share that hurt with your parents. They may not be able to change the situation, but at least they will try to help you. Just knowing that they know what you face can already help.

Think about King Ahasuerus again, sitting in his palace, with servants scurrying around doing everything for him. Every day he ate delicious foods prepared by the top chefs. But there was also something he ‘tasted’ every day which he wished he didn’t! Every time he felt the pang of loneliness in his heart, or guiltily remembered how he had wrongly used Queen Vashti, he tasted the bitter fruits of his sin. If only he had realized how difficult it would be for himself later!

Let’s learn from Ahasuerus’ foolishness. When you need to make a decision, ask yourself, “If I do this, what will the result be in five or ten years from now?” If you don’t know the answer, ask your parents, or godly leaders in your church or school. But above all, ask God Himself in prayer. That’s what Ahasuerus never did.