The King's Banquets

Esther 1

1 Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned a from India to Ethiopia over b 127 provinces, 2 in those days when King Ahasuerus c sat on his royal throne in d Susa, the capital, 1 3 in the third year of his reign e he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him, 4 while he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days. 5 And when these days were completed, the king gave for all the people present in Susa, the citadel, both great and small, a feast lasting for seven days in the court of f the garden of the king's palace. 6 There were white cotton curtains and violet hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rods 2 and marble pillars, and also g couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and precious stones. 7 Drinks were served in golden vessels, vessels of different kinds, and the royal wine was lavished according to the bounty of the king. 8 And drinking was according to this edict: "There is no compulsion." For the king had given orders to all the staff of his palace to do as each man desired. 9 Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women in the palace that belonged to King Ahasuerus.

  1. Cross References
    Esther 8:9
    The king's scribes were summoned at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day. And an edict was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded concerning the Jews, to the satraps and the governors and the officials of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, 127 provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, and also to the Jews in their script and their language.
  2. Cross References
    Esther 8:9
    The king's scribes were summoned at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day. And an edict was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded concerning the Jews, to the satraps and the governors and the officials of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, 127 provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, and also to the Jews in their script and their language.
    Esther 9:30
    Letters were sent to all the Jews, to the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, in words of peace and truth.
    Daniel 6:1
    It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom.
  3. Cross References
    1 Kings 1:46
    Solomon sits on the royal throne.
  4. Cross References
    Nehemiah 1:1
    The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the capital.
  5. Cross References
    Esther 2:18
    Then the king gave a great feast for all his officials and servants; it was Esther's feast. He also granted a remission of taxes to the provinces and gave gifts with royal generosity.
    Genesis 40:20
    On the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants.
    1 Kings 3:15
    And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
    Mark 6:21
    But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.
  6. Cross References
    Esther 7:7 - 8
    And the king arose in his wrath from the wine-drinking and went into the palace garden, but Haman stayed to beg for his life from Queen Esther, for he saw that harm was determined against him by the king.
  7. Cross References
    Ezekiel 23:41
    You sat on a stately couch, with a table spread before it on which you had placed my incense and my oil.
    Amos 6:4
    Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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