Esther 1:19

If it please the king a standing formula in proposing royal decrees. So often in this book: cp. Nehemiah 2:5.

a royal commandment lit. a commandment of the kingdom, i.e. an edict which, though directed against an individual, should be registered as a public ordinance, in order that it might come under the class of laws which could not be altered. Memucan had reason to insist upon this course, as he and those sympathising with him in the advice tendered to the king, would have good cause to dread the vengeance of Vashti, if she should regain her position as queen. Another case of making into an unalterable edict what from its nature was but a temporary measure is to be seen in Daniel 6:8 f. As regards the whole question, how far the king was bound by any laws, there existed evidently a certain elasticity. Cambyses, desiring to marry his sister (see on Esther 1:13), was told by his advisers that, although there was no law permitting such an act, yet there was one to the effect that the king might do as he pleased.