Monday, February 21, 2011

Kingly Extravagance (Est. 1:5-6)

King Xerxes soon gave another dinner and invited everyone in the city of Susa, no matter who they were. The eating and drinking lasted seven days in the beautiful palace gardens. The area was decorated with blue and white cotton curtains tied back with purple linen cords that ran through silver rings fastened to marble columns. Couches of gold and silver rested on pavement that had all kinds of designs made from costly bright-colored stones and marble and mother-of-pearl.
(Esther 1:5-6, CEV)

Okay. Yesterday, we learned of the 180 days of partying with all the leaders of the land. That apparently wasn’t enough for King Xerxes. Now he throws a party for everyone in Susa. Everyone. I have no idea what the population of Susa was at that time, but think of how immense the palace gardens must have been to accommodate what must have been hundreds, if not thousands, of people.

I had the opportunity to go to Europe on a study tour while in college. We visited several palaces, and I vividly remember Fontainbleu in France. Well, I don’t so much remember the palace itself, but I do remember the gardens. They were absolutely gorgeous. And absolutely immense. If King Xerxes’ gardens were anything like those at Fontainbleu, then he could have had literally a couple of thousand people there.

So, yes, he could have had all the people of Susa for a seven-day feast. In his gardens extravagantly decorated … just for this particular event. Think of the time and money that went into preparing for this day. Mind-boggling.

And with this feast, we see yet another example of the king’s neediness. The most powerful man in the kingdom needs to be surrounded by adulation. He needs to show off his wealth and power. He needs to demonstrate that he can do whatever he wants.

He is the king, after all.

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