dom is one that shall
not be destroyed; and his rule shall be without end. He saves and
rescues, and does wonderful things in heaven and earth; it is he who has
saved Daniel from the power of the lions." So Daniel was successful and
happy during the reign of Darius.

QUEEN ESTHER'S LOVE FOR HER PEOPLE

After Xerxes had been king of Persia for three years, he gave a feast
for all his officials, officers, and servants. The commanders of the
armies of Persia and Media, the nobles and governors were before him;
while for one hundred and eighty days he showed them the wonderful
riches of his kingdom and the costliness of his magnificent regalia.

When these days were ended, the king made a seven days' feast in the
enclosed garden of the royal palace, for all classes of people who were
in the royal palace at Susa. Vashti, the queen, also gave a feast for
the women in the royal palace which belonged to King Xerxes.

On the seventh day, when King Xerxes had been drinking wine, he
commanded his seven court attendants to bring Vashti, the queen, before
him with the royal crown on her head, to show the peoples and the
officials her beauty, for she was very fair. But Queen Vashti refused to
come as the king commanded. Therefore the king was very angry.

In his anger the king said to the wise men, "According to law what shall
we do to Queen Vashti?" Memucan, one of the seven high officials, said
before the king and his officers, "Vashti, the queen, has done wrong not
only to the king but also to all the officials and to all the peoples in
all of the king's provinces. For the refusal of the queen will be
reported to all the women so that they will disobey their husbands, for
they will say, 'King Xerxes commanded Vashti, the queen, to be brought
in before him, but she did not come!' And this very day the ladies of
Persia and Media who have heard of the refusal of the queen will tell it
to all the king's officials, and there will be contempt and strife! If
it seems best to the king, let him send out a royal command, and let it
be written among the laws of Persia and Media, in order that it may not
be changed, that Vashti may never again come before King Xerxes; and let
the king give her place as queen to another who is better than she. And
when the king's command shall be heard throughout his kingdom--great as
it is--the wives of all classes will give honor to their husbands!"

The plan pleased the king and the officials, and th