¹⁰ On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits^(A) from wine,^(B) he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona,^(C) Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas—

⁹ Then Harbona,^(A) one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits^[a](B) stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”

The king said, “Impale him on it!”^(C)

²⁵ While they were in high spirits,^(A) they shouted, “Bring out Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them.

When they stood him among the pillars,

²⁸ Absalom^(A) ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high^(B) spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave.^(C)”

¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine,^(A) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,^{(B) 19} speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.^(C) Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,

¹⁸ At the end of the time^(A) set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. ¹⁹ The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service.^(B)

³ Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility^(A)— ⁴ young men without any physical defect, handsome,^(B) showing aptitude for every kind of learning,^(C) well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language^(D) and literature of the Babylonians.^{[a] 5} The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine^(E) from the king’s table.^(F) They were to be trained for three years,^(G) and after that they were to enter the king’s service.^(H)