Achashveirosh used the holy utensils from the Beis HaMikdash at his seudah. The Gemara (Megillah 12.) states, "At that time, a bas kol went out: “Generations ago, people died because they used these utensils, and now you are using them?!" The Gemara refers to Belshatzar, the king of Bavel, who died the night he used the vessels of the Beis HaMikdash. This time, the sin caused Vashti's death.
The meforshim ask, why didn't Achashverosh die like Belshatzar died when he used these holy utensils? Why did Vashti die instead of Achashveirosh?
It is repeated in the name of Reb Shlomo Kluger zt'l that at this feast, Achashveirosh was mevater. He didn't demand that things be exactly as he wanted. We learn this from the pasuk (Esther 1:8) ואיש איש כרצון לעשות that at the meal, everyone's wishes were respected and fulfilled. He was mevater and didn't demand that things be his way. And the rule is that when one is mevater, it grants him life. But Vashti wasn't mevater. She didn't let everyone do as they pleased. This is implied from the pasuk, בית נשים משתה עשתה המלכה ושתי גם המלכות, "Queen Vashti also made a feast for the woman in the royal house." She acted with royalty and power. She acted like a queen, and everyone had to do as she demanded. Therefore, she suffered the brunt of the punishment.
The meforshim add another explanation to why Achashveirosh didn't die at this meal, only Vashti did. It is because shame and humiliation save from death. Achashveirosh was shamed at this meal. His wife Vashti sent a message to him (Megillah 12:) "Listen here, my father's stable hand (Achashveirosh used to work in Nevuchadnezzar's royal stables): My father was able to drink with a thousand people and not get drunk. And you drink a drop of wine and become drunk and insane." This shame saved Achashveirosh from death, and Vashti was killed instead. It says in the megillah כלים שונים מכלים, and מכלים can also be translated as shame. The shame saved Achashverosh. Another hint is from the pasuk (Esther 1:18) וקצף בזיון וכדי, which Rebbe Yechezkel of Kozhmir zt'l translated as "The bizyonos and humiliation saved Achashveirosh from Hashem's anger."
The Jewish nation was also saved due to shame and humiliation. The Gemara (Megillah 15:) states, "Why did Esther invite Haman to her party? Reb Shimon ben Menasya says, 'Perhaps Hashem will take note and perform a miracle.'" Rashi explains that Esther wanted "Hashem should see that I am forced to flatter this rasha and belittle my honor." She understood that her shame and humiliation would arouse Hashem's compassion and save the Jewish nation.
Reb Chaim Shmuelevitz zt'l said: Esther's fasts and tefillos didn't bring salvation, but her humiliation saved her and the entire Jewish nation.
