Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel, in the third year of his reign 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, while he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days. 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 the garden of the king’s palace. There were white cotton curtains and violet hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rods and marble pillars, and also couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and precious stones. Drinks were served in golden vessels, vessels of different kinds, and the royal wine was lavished according to the bounty of the king. 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. Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women in the palace that belonged to King Ahasuerus.
Comment: King Ahasuerus was ruler over a huge area, basically the Middle East and North Eastern Africa. He was proud of things the way they were and decided to throw a six month party. I think it means that he threw his palace and its works of art, maybe his private zoo, open for people to visit and be dazzled, giving him the glory. People travelled from afar and were amazed. Possibly, and even probably, there were some lavish parties but the 180 days weren’t all spent sitting around the table gormandizing. The finale, however, was a great feast given not for the 127 provinces but for the people of the capital city – Susa. Men only were invited but his queen Vashti provided a similar feast for the women. I imagine that whilst the meal was provided 24/7 people could come and go. Apparently the normal rule was that if the king drank everyone had to drink with him. This rule was laid aside and you could drink when and if you desired. Everything was set up so that on entering the area people were amazed at the setting, the graciousness of the host, and quite frankly at everything.
Prayer: Let me be humble in the station which you give me in life, O Lord!
As I read it! 