Esther 1:1-3

The Voice

1 The following events occurred in Persia during the reign of King Ahasuerus, the same man who ruled 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. ² In those days King Ahasuerus’ throne was in the citadel of Susa. ³ During the 3rd year of his reign, Ahasuerus gathered together all of Persia’s ruling authorities—nobles and officials, leaders of Persia and Media, and nobles of his provinces^[a]—for a grand, state banquet.