John Trapp on Esther 1:9

Verſe 9. Alſo Vaſthi the Queene made a feaſt for the women] Heb. A feaſt, or a compotation of women. This was better yet, then Heliogabalus his Senat of women, with their ordinances correſpondent; as what attire each woman ſhould uſe, how they ſhould take place, when ſalute, &c. The Romans decreed in Senate that no women ſhould drink wine. What Vaſhti's practice was I know not; but, by her name ſhe ſhould be a Meribibula, a wine-bibber, as was noted, verſe 1.

Conveniunt rebus nomina ſaepè ſuis.

Joſephus, and after him Lyra, give her the commendation of a modeſt woman. 'Tis probable ſhe had the Kings conſent to feaſt the women, becauſe it was in the royal houſe: and it added much to the Kings munificence. But then ſhe ſhould have ſubdued her huſband by obeying of him, as Livia (as great an Empreſſe) did Auguſtus. Dio reporteth of her, that being asked how ſhe got ſuch a power over her husband? ſhe anſwered, Multa modeſtiâ, by my much modeſty. It is remarkable in this third feaſt, that, firſt,Dio in Tiberio. the women feaſted within doores, not in the open Court, as their husbands did, and next, apart from the men. Which whether it were of pride, becauſe Vaſhti would keep ſtate by her ſelf; or, of neceſſity, becauſe either the cuſtome of the Countrey, or the Kings jealouſie would not allow her preſence among ſo many of the other ſex, yet ſurely this may condemne (as one well ſaith) our moſt laſcivious mingling of both ſexes together in dancing, and ſuch like meetings; where nothing is more uſual then luſtful looks, filthy ſpeeches, uncleane touches. Apage omnem hanc impudentiam, ſhun all occaſions of ſinne that doth ſo eaſily beſet us. Lot feaſting and drinking wine with his own daughters, fell into the ſin of inceſt. The Iſraelites doing the like with the daughters of Moab, were enſnared, and ſubverted. The dancing damoſel ſo enflamed that old Goat Herod, that like a mad man he ſweareth to give her her deſire to the halfe of his Kingdome. In all mixt meetings of both ſexes, let the husbands eyes be eyes of Adamant, which will turne only to one point; leſt ſome Circe enchant him, having faculty attractive with the Jeat, and retentive with the Adamant. Let the wives alſo be like that Perſian Lady, who being at the marriage of Cyrus, and asked how ſhe liked the Bridegroome? How? ſaith ſhe: I know not; I ſaw no body but my husband.