Est 1:1-10 | HCSB | STEP | These events took place during the days of Ahasuerus , who ruled 127 provinces from India to Cush .

Esther 1:1-10

1 These events took place during the days of Ahasuerus, ^{▼▼= Xerxes; he reigned 486-465 b.c.
,} ^b who ruled 127 provinces ^c from India ^{▼▼= modern Pakistan} to ^{▼▼Cush/ Cushite: The lands of the Nile in southern Egypt, including Nubia and Northern Sudan; the people who lived in that region}Cush. 2 In those days King Ahasuerus reigned from his royal throne ^f in the fortress at Susa. ^g 3 He held a feast ^h in the third year of his reign for all his officials and staff, the army of Persia and Media, ⁱ the nobles, ^j and the officials from the provinces. 4 He displayed the glorious wealth of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness ^k for a total of 180 days.

5 At the end of this time, the king held a week-long banquet ^l in the garden courtyard ^m of the royal palace ⁿ for all the people, from the greatest to the least, ^o who were present in the fortress of Susa. ^p 6 White and violet linen hangings were fastened with fine white and purple linen cords to silver rods on marble ^{▼▼Or alabaster} columns. Gold and silver couches ^r were arranged on a mosaic pavement of red feldspar, ^{▼▼Or of porphyry} marble, ^{▼▼Or alabaster} mother-of-pearl, and precious stones.

7 Beverages were served in an array of gold goblets, ^u each with a different design. Royal wine flowed freely, according to the king’s bounty ^v 8 and no restraint was placed on the drinking. The king had ordered every wine steward in his household to serve as much as each person wanted. 9 Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women of King Ahasuerus’s palace.

10 On the seventh day, when the king was feeling good from the wine, ^w Ahasuerus commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, ^x Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs ^y who personally served him,