If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.
Let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare. The king ate alone, and his guests in an adjoining hall; but they were admitted to sit with him at wine. 'Sometimes,' says Mr. Rawlinson ('Ancient Monarchies,' 4:, p. 167), 'at a "banquet of wise," a certain number of privileged boon companions were received, who drank in the royal presence, not, however, of the same wine, nor on the same terms. The monarch reclined on a couch with golden feet, and sipped the rich wine of Helbon; the queen, when present, sat on a chair beside him; while the guests invited drank an inferior beverage seated upon the floor' (Athenaeus, 'Deipno,' 4:, p. 145). Such was the custom of the country. Haman being the only invited guest with the king and queen on the occasion referred to, it was natural that he should have been elated with the honour.