Esther 1:4

When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, [even] an hundred and fourscore days.

When he shewed {H7200} the riches {H6239} of his glorious {H3519} kingdom {H4438} and the honour {H3366} of his excellent {H8597} majesty {H1420} many {H7227} days {H3117}, even an hundred {H3967} and fourscore {H8084} days {H3117}.

He displayed the dazzling wealth of his kingdom and his great splendor for a long time, 180 days.

And for a full 180 days he displayed the glorious riches of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness.

when he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even a hundred and fourscore days.

Commentary

Esther 1:4 describes the lavish display of wealth and power by King Ahasuerus (commonly identified as Xerxes I) of the Persian Empire. This verse sets the stage for the dramatic events of the Book of Esther, emphasizing the extraordinary grandeur and absolute authority of the monarch.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse opens the narrative of Esther, set in the third year of King Ahasuerus's reign (circa 483 BC). The location is Susa, the capital city of the vast Persian Empire, which stretched from India to Ethiopia. The "hundred and fourscore days" (180 days, or six months) was not a casual party but likely a strategic assembly or exhibition. During this prolonged period, the king would have gathered his nobles, princes, and officials from all 127 provinces to showcase the immense resources and stability of his kingdom, perhaps to rally support for an upcoming military campaign (historians often link this to Xerxes' preparations for his invasion of Greece).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Ostentation and Power: The prolonged display highlights the king's desire to flaunt his immense wealth and absolute authority. It was a show of force and opulence, designed to impress and perhaps intimidate his subordinates and foreign dignitaries.
  • Human Grandeur vs. Divine Sovereignty: While Ahasuerus revels in his "glorious kingdom" and "excellent majesty," the book of Esther ultimately reveals God's hidden hand orchestrating events behind the scenes. The king's grand display serves as a backdrop against which God's quieter, yet more powerful, providence will unfold, as seen in Esther 4:14.
  • Setting the Stage: This extensive exhibition of royal splendor serves as a prelude to the immediate, seven-day feast for all the people in Susa mentioned in Esther 1:5, and ultimately, to the search for a new queen, which would bring Esther into prominence.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty" uses strong language to convey the King's immense wealth and reputation. The Hebrew terms for "riches" (ื›ึฐึผื‘ื•ึนื“, k'vod, often meaning glory or weight) and "honour" (ื™ึฐืงึธืจ, y'kar, meaning preciousness or splendor) emphasize not just material possessions but also the weighty reputation and the high esteem in which the king wished to be held. The duration, "an hundred and fourscore days," underscores the unprecedented scale and extravagance of this royal exhibition.

Practical Application

This verse, while describing ancient royalty, offers timeless insights. It reminds us of the fleeting nature of human power and glory compared to the enduring sovereignty of God. While King Ahasuerus showcased his dominion, true power and lasting peace come from God. It also subtly introduces the idea that even in seemingly secular or self-serving human events, God can be at work, preparing the way for His divine purposes. We are called to humility, recognizing that pride often precedes a fall, and that true significance is found not in outward display but in alignment with God's will.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Job 40:10

    Deck thyself now [with] majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.

  • Psalms 93:1

    ยถ The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, [wherewith] he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

  • Daniel 7:9

    ยถ I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment [was] white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne [was like] the fiery flame, [and] his wheels [as] burning fire.

  • Daniel 7:14

    And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed.

  • Romans 9:23

    And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

  • Psalms 21:5

    His glory [is] great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him.

  • Daniel 5:18

    O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:
โ† Back