The Pulpit Commentary on Esther 2:18

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Then the king made a great feast. As Persian kings were in the habit of doing on every joyful occasion. Even Esther's feast. It seems to be meant that the feast was one which continued to be spoken about, and which was commonly known under this title. And he made a release to the provinces. As the Pseudo-Smerdis had done when he usurped the throne (Herod; 3.67). A "release" was an exemption from taxation, or from military service, or from both, for a specified period. And gave gifts, according to the state of the king. Literally, that is, "in right royal fashion" (see Esther 1:7). The practice of making presents, so common in the East at all times, was much in vogue among the Persians, and was practised especially by the monarchs (Herod; 1.136; 3.135; 7.26; Xen; 'Cyrop.,' 8.2, § 7, et seq.; 'Anab.,' 1.9, § 22, etc.).

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