Over the past year and a half, I have been studying the book of Esther in the bible. I also discovered that the Xerxes depicted in the movie 'The 300" is the SAME Xerxes in Esther.
I also read a wonderful book by Charles Swindoll, "Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity" which really got my creative thoughts flowing. Some of the questions unanswered seemed odd to me.
For example - what was the reason for 6 months of partying? What happened to Vashti? What caused Xerxes to become so melancholy, he would need to find another queen - after all, he had a harem where he could pick and choose his nightly entertainment? What was really going on?
This led me on one interesting journey through history. After some research, I found that Tom Holland was supposed to be the guy 'in the know' about the Persian Empire. So I ordered his book, "Persian Fire"
Through this book, insight is revealed to the horrible atrocities of Nebuchadnezzar, and why Cyrus would allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their temple. It explains also why Darius wouldn't have known about the royal decree allowing the temple to be rebuilt, and why Vashti didn't come to the party when called, and how indeed, Esther would have/should have been beheaded on the spot when she entered the Kings chambers.
The history of this particular line of Kings is rich and incredibly intricate.
With Gods help, I am gathering all the info I have, and will hopefully put together a bible study of Esther using the historical insights of the Persian Empire.
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