Esther 1:8 - Exposition

The drinking was according to the law . Rather, "according to edict " — the edict being the express order given by the king to all the officers of his household. It is implied that the usual custom was different—that the foolish practice prevailed of compelling men to drink. That the Persians were hard drinkers, and frequently drank to excess, is stated by Herodotus (1.133) and Xenophon ('Cyrop.,' 8.8, § 11).