Definition: In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, [being] before him:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Esther 1:3. It’s a really important opening sentence that sets up a significant story! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Esther was organizing a huge celebration – a feast – for everyone connected to King Xerxes of Persia and Media. Let’s unpack it further: “In the third year of his reign…” This tells us this happened after King Xerxes had been ruling. It's a period of time where he was in charge, but not yet facing major problems. “…he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants…” This means Esther was planning a big party for the people under his leadership – her royal family, officials, and everyone connected to him. "Princes" refers to his family. “Servants” would include loyal courtiers and those working for him. “…the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces…” This is where it gets interesting. “Persia and Media” were huge empires that controlled a lot of land in what’s now parts of Iran, Iraq, and Syria. “Nobles and princes” are high-ranking officials and leaders within these empires. “…being [before him]…” This is a crucial part! The verse says "before him" – meaning before King Xerxes. It implies that this feast was an important event he was preparing for. So, the whole verse paints a picture of: King Xerxes, who ruled over a powerful empire (Persia and Media), decided to host a grand celebration – a massive feast – to honor his people, show off his power, and potentially solidify his rule. Why is this significant? This is often seen as the beginning of Esther's story. It shows that Xerxes wasn’t just a ruler; he was also willing to engage in displays of wealth and importance. This sets up a conflict later on when Esther bravely intervenes to save her people from potential disaster. --- Do you want me to: Explain the context of the story? Discuss what this verse might suggest about King Xerxes's character? Give you some of the key themes of the story that follow?