Please read Esther 1:1–2:23. About 484 B.C.E., the Persian king Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) convenes a huge banquet.

1:3-5​—Why were these festivities held?

According to historian Herodotus, Xerxes once called an assembly to plan a military campaign against Greece. Perhaps this is the same gathering. Likely, Xerxes showed off the glory and riches of his kingdom to convince the nobles of his ability to carry out the Grecian campaign.