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"Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the entrance of the house. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be given thee even to the half of the kingdom." Esther 5:1-3 ASV <p>Illustration of Xerxes, King of Persia, stretching out his golden scepter to Esther.

Esther Approaches King Xerxes

"Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner…

"So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen." Esther 7:1 ASV <p>King Xerxes and Esther sit on a couch together. Xerxes holds his royal scepter.

Esther Hosts a Banquet for King Xerxes and Haman

"So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen." Esther 7:1 ASV King Xerxes and Esther…

Illustration of a painting of the ancient Greeks returning victorious from the Battle of Salamis against the Persians. Athenian women run out to meet the soldiers as they emerge from their ships. Ships' masts can be seen to the right. One soldier rears up on horseback.

The Victors of Salamis by Fernand Cormon

Illustration of a painting of the ancient Greeks returning victorious from the Battle of Salamis against…

The return of Xerxes to Persia.

Xerxes

The return of Xerxes to Persia.