Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and
servants, even Esther's feast
A feast to all his nobles, courtiers, and ministers of state, on account of his marriage with Esther; which, according to the Greek version, was held seven days; but, according to Josephus, it lasted a whole month F20:
and he made a release to the provinces;
of taxes and tribute due to him, as was the custom of the kings of Persia when they came to the throne, as Herodotus F21 relates; so Smerdis the magus, that mounted the throne after Cambyses, pretending to be his brother, released them for three years to come F23; and Grotius says kings used to do it at their marriage, but gives no instance of it:
and gave gifts:
according to the latter Targum, to the provinces, all of them, that he might be sure that the people of Esther shared his favours, who were as yet unknown; but rather these gifts were given to his nobles, or it may be to Esther; so the former Targum,
``he gave to her a gift and portion:''according to the state of the king;