And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure.
The drinking at the feast followed a special rule: no one was forced to drink. The king had given orders to all his palace servants that each guest should be allowed to do whatever they wanted.
The writer is showing that King Ahasuerus allowed complete freedom at his feast - no one was pressured to drink alcohol against their will.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Esther, which is set during the reign of King Ahasuerus (likely Xerxes I) in the Persian Empire around the 5th century BC, the king is hosting a lavish banquet in his palace at Susa to display his wealth and honor his officials. This verse describes the drinking customs at the feast, where participation was voluntary and no one was forced, reflecting the cultural norms of Persian hospitality that valued personal choice over compulsion. Such practices highlight the king's authority and set the stage for the unfolding drama involving Queen Vashti's defiance.
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