King Xerxes Hosted a Banquet For His Officials
June 25, 2020
Commentary
Esther’s story begins 103 years after Nebuchadnezzar had taken the Jews into captivity (II Kings 25), 54 years after Jerubbabel led the first group of exiles back to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:2) and 25 years before Ezra led the second group to Jerusalem (Ezra 7). Only Esther tells us anything about what happened to the Jews in captivity that did not return to Jerusalem after Cyrus issued his decree permitting their return. This chapter opens with King Ahasuerus (also called Xerxes) of Persia showing off his riches in the capital city of Susa (vv. 1-9).
This event took place in the King’s winter palace in Shushan, which is now in Iran, 200 miles north of the Persian Gulf. Xerxes ruled 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia. In the third year of his rule, he gave a big dinner to all his officials, officers, governors and leaders of the provinces as well as the commanders of the Persian and Median armies (vv. 3-4). For 180 days he showed off his wealth and spent a lot of money to impress his guests. The eating and drinking lasted seven days in the beautiful palace gardens (v. 5). The area was decorated with blue and white cotton curtains, tied back with purple linen cords that ran through silver rings (v. 6). There were couches of Gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of marble and mother of pearl. The guests drank from gold cups, and each had a different design (v. 7). The king was generous and said, to them “Drink all you want, as they drank from gold cups, that were very extravagant and with different designs!” (v. 7). Then he told his servants to keep their cups full (v. 8). While the men were enjoying themselves, Queen Vashti gave the women a big dinner inside the royal palace (v. 9).
Application
Respect comes from mutual regard and appreciation for each other and not from legal pronouncements. I need to keep this in mind in my relationship with loved ones and co-workers.
Esther 1:1– 9 (NET)
1 The following events happened in the days of Ahasuerus. (I am referring to that Ahasuerus who used to rule over 127 provinces extending all the way from India to Ethiopia.) 2 In those days, as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa the citadel, 3 in the third year of his reign he provided a banquet for all his officials and his servants. The army of Persia and Media was present, as well as the nobles and the officials of the provinces.
4 He displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his majestic greatness for a lengthy period of time —180 days, to be exact! 5 When those days were completed, the king then provided a seven-day banquet for all the people who were present in Susa the citadel, for those of highest standing to the most lowly. It was held in the court located in the garden of the royal palace. 6 The furnishings included white linen and blue curtains hung by cords of the finest linen and purple wool on silver rings, alabaster columns, gold and silver couches displayed on a floor made of valuable stones of alabaster, mother-of-pearl, and mineral stone. 7 Drinks were served in golden containers, all of which differed from one another. Royal wine was available in abundance at the king’s expense. 8 There were no restrictions on the drinking, for the king had instructed all his supervisors that they should do as everyone so desired. 9 Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in King Ahasuerus’ royal palace.