Esther 1:8

8. The drinking… according to the law That is, according to a specific decree of the king, which decree was, that there should be no compulsion in the matter of drinking at this feast. This is seen further on in the words, for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house. He gave orders that his guests should be allowed to drink much or little, or not at all, according to every man’s pleasure. “He respected their national habits,” says Wordsworth, “and did not forget that some of the mountaineer Persian tribes, which retained the simplicity and strictness of their ancient customs, were famous for their temperance.” (XENOPHON, Cyrop., Esther 1:2 ; Esther 1:16; AMMIAN. MARCELLINUS, xxiii, 6.) Large quantities of wine were usually drank at Persian festivals, and it is supposed that the custom of pledging guests commonly prevailed to such an extent as to compel many to drink against their will.