Post date: Feb 18, 2011 3:29:42 AM
כְּשֶׁבֶת הַמֶּלֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ עַל כִּסֵּא מַלְכוּתוֹ
Kisheves hamelech Achashveirosh al kisei malchuso
(1:2)
The letter “chaf” in the word “kisheves” is a diminutive letter (implying an approximation or attempt, but not the reality) and can be translated to mean “like.” Let’s operate under the premise that every mention of the word “melech” without Achashveirosh’s name implies Melech Malchei hamelachim, Hakadosh Baruch Hu. Achashveirosh actually thought that he could sit on Hashem’s throne! Such was his outrageously bloated ego.
Alternatively, some say that Achashveirosh successfully brought the throne from Shlomo hamelech to Shushan to celebrate his subjugation of the Jews.