1. This is what happened during the time of King Xerxes. He was the king who ruled the 127 areas from India to Cush.
2. In those days King Xerxes ruled from his capital city of Susa.
3. In the third year of his rule, he gave a banquet. It was for all his important men and royal officers. The army leaders from the countries of Persia and Media were there. And the important men from all Xerxes’ empire were there.
4. The banquet lasted 180 days. All during that time King Xerxes was showing off the great wealth of his kingdom. And he was showing his own honor and greatness.
5. When the 180 days were over, the king gave another banquet. It was held in the courtyard of the palace garden for 7 days. It was for everybody in the palace at Susa, from the greatest to the least important.
6. The courtyard had fine white curtains and purple drapes. These were tied to silver rings on marble pillars by white and purple cords. And there were gold and silver couches. These were on a floor set with tiles of white marble, shells and gems.
7. Wine was served in gold cups of various kinds. And there was plenty of the king’s wine because he was very generous.
8. The king commanded that each guest be permitted to drink as much as he wished. He had told the wine servers to serve each man what he wanted.
9. Queen Vashti also gave a banquet. It was for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.
10. On the seventh day of the banquet, King Xerxes was very happy because he had been drinking much wine. He gave a command to the seven eunuchs who served him. They were Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Carcas.