What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
Ver. 15. What shall we do] Saith the king; who changeth the scene suddenly, the banqueting house into a council chamber, the merry meeting into a most difficult consultation, what to do with the queen, and how to repair the king's honour so much impaired by her. How easily can the Lord stain the pride of all glory, Isaiah 23:9, cross the world's greatest darlings, give an unsavoury verdure to their sweetest morsels, and make their very felicity miserable!
Unto the queen Vashti] You should determine nothing rashly against her, but accept of her lawful excuse, hear her plea, remember that she is your companion, and the wife of your covenant, Malachi 2:14, your fellow, and not your footstool; a yoke fellow standing on even ground with you, though drawing on the left side, &c. This you should do to the queen Vashti. But Plutarch notes of the Persians, that they were none of the kindest of husbands, but harsh and jealous. And Athenaeus saith the kings of Persia lord it over their wives, as if they were their handmaids, αγριοι φυσει και χαλεποι (Plut.); ως δεσποτης αρχει της γαμετης ο βασιλευς ~ (Athen. lib. 13).
According to law] This you should do; retain the decency and gravity of the law, which is never angry with any man (Lex non irascitur, sed constituit, saith Seneca), no more must those that administer it. The angry man cannot easily keep a level keel. This Archytas the Tarentine knew, and therefore being displeased with his servants for their sloth, he flung from them, saying, Farewell, I have nothing to say to you, because I am angry at you.
Because she hath not performed the commandment, &c.] This was a fault, no doubt; but not so heinous as was made of it. The faults of his wife a man must either tollere or tolerare, cure or cover, and not go about to kill a fly upon her forehead with a beetle, as they say. But God had a provident hand in it for the good of his Church.