Esther 1:2 - Exposition

The throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan . Though the Persian court resided a part of the year at Ecbatana, and occasionally visited Persepolis and Babylon (Xen; 'Cyrop.,' 8.6, § 2; 'Anab.,' 3.5, § 15), yet Susa was decidedly the ordinary seat of government, and ranked as the capital of the empire. "Shushan the palace " is distinguished from Shushan the city ( Esther 9:12-15 ), the one occupying a lofty but artificial eminence towards the west, while the other lay at the base of this mound, stretching out a considerable distance towards the east.