Ahasuerus

 

    Ahasuerus (A-haz-u-e-rus) was a Persian King.  He is better known for his Persian name Xerxes (this is also the Greek format).   Ahasuerus is Hebrew (Ăḥašwēroš), so it is the name that the displaced Hebrews called him.  Ahasuerus means male king.  The name was right on the nose.

    Ahasuerus was believed to have reigned Persian 486 to 465 BC.  His story is found in the book of Ester.  It starts with a political party where he was entertaining the men and his first wife was entertaining the women.  He got drunk and wanted to show her off.  When she refused to be flaunted in front of a bunch of men, Ahasuerus got angry.  She made it look like he could not control his wife.  

    His advisors convinced him to divorce her and find a more palatable wife.  He did as he was advised.  He probably never expected to fall in love with the woman that he chose.  He chose her because of beauty, charm, and God's influence.   

    Ahasuerus' second wife was Ester.  They married his seventh year as king.  They seemed to have a good marriage for the most part.  The only thing is that he did not know that she was Hebrew.  She had a Persian name and had lived in the nation her whole life.  She was a part of the Persian culture, so she blended well. 

    One of Ahasuerus' advisors was a deceitful and power hungry man named Haman.  He hated the Hebrew nation, so he set things up where Ahasuerus gave him the power to eradicate the entire nation that was in Persia.  

    Ester took a little time, but she stepped up and told her husband that she was in fact a Hebrew.  It was a risky move since we all know how she became his wife.  However, his love for her was greater than admiration for an advisor.  He took a different perspective and used it to change things for the better.  

    Ahasuerus found people that were honest and that he could trust to have more leadership.  In the process Haman was killed for his treachery.  Esther's bravery paid off and her marriage was stronger for it.  She began to work more closely with her husband, so she also gained a career.  

    Ahasuerus was known as a great king.  It never says if he became a follower of God, but he was influenced by God's people.  He achieved a lot in his career and became a great leader.  

The Book of Esther