Esther 1:12

“But the queen refused to came at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains, etc.] Even though he sent by them again, as the Targum; and so says Josephus f62; which might not purely arise from pride in her, and contempt of him, but because she might conclude he was drunk, and knew not well what he did; and therefore had she come at his command, when he was himself and sober, he might blame her for coming, nay, use her ill for it, and especially if she was to come naked, as say the Jews f63; and besides, it was contrary to the law of the Persians, as not only Josephus f64, but Plutarch f65 observes, which suffered not women to be seen in public; and particularly did not allow their wives to…”

“Refused - Being favoured in this refusal by the law of Persia, which was to keep mens wives, and especially queens, from the view of other men. Esther 1:13”

“1:12 she refused to come: The queen’s refusal is not explained. Perhaps she feared the drunken king would humiliate her in some way. • This made the king furious: The king’s anger was probably heightened by his drunken state and by his humiliation before his male friends.”

“the queen: This refusal of Vashti's, to expose herself to the view of such a group of drunken Bacchanalians, was highly praiseworthy, and became the dignity of her rank and the modesty of her sex. refused: Gen 3:16; Eph 5:22, Eph 5:24; Pe1 3:1 by his chamberlains: Heb. which was by the hand of his eunuchs was the king: Pro 19:12, Pro 20:2; Dan 2:12, Dan 3:13, Dan 3:19; Nah 1:6; Rev 6:16, Rev 6:17 burned: Exo 32:19, Exo 32:22; Deu 29:20; Psa 74:1, Psa 79:5 Esther 1:13”

“The queen refused to appear at the king's command as delivered by the eunuchs, because she did not choose to stake her dignity as a queen and a wife before his inebriated guests. The audacity of Persians in such a condition is evident from the history related Herod. Est 1:18. Esther 1:13”