4.
Her Persian name Esther, means a star. She could well have been named Esther because of her spotless and outstanding beauty. She was destined to be come a bright and shining light of deliverance for her people. She is most definitely one whom the Lord had prepared for the time and the season.
The character of Ahasuerus is seen in his actions during a great feast held in the palace Shushan, meaning a lily. Following the pattern of that day, the city of Susa must have been a city of beauty. At least its name would imply that is was like a garden of flowers. Pride, a desire to show his accomplishments to the leadership of his kingdom caused him to have a great feast, with his subordinates present. His guests were an impressive group being the power of Persia and Media, the nobles, the leading men, and princes. Est. 1:3.
He conducted what would have amounted to a worldís fair for a period of six months, or one hundred and forty days and nights of revelry. These feasts were not without an abundance of intoxicants. All during these days there was a display of the wealth of his vast kingdom. The splendor and abundance of this great kingdom over which he was the ruler was on display. The might, the power the greatness and honor ascribed unto his kingdom was also a bragging point for him. Greatly impressive and perhaps overwhelming to those who saw the display of this great kingdom. Est. 1:4.
All this was climaxed with a special seven day feast of great proportions held in the kingís garden. These ancient gardens were the area of their palaces which we generally reserved for their own private use. After such an extensive period of revelry and entertainment this was to be a climax well to be remembered. It is the door to the whole of the book of Esther. Est. 1:5.