So the king: both Revised Standard Version and Today’s English Version use the conjunction So to link this verse with the final verse of the preceding chapter, in which the new episode began.
To feast is literally “to drink.” The implied object is wine (see verse 2).
The Revised Standard Version translation and on the second day seems to suggest that this second feast continued for a second day. An American Translation likewise suggests that the second feast continued for at least two days: “and the king said again to Esther on the second day of the banquet of wine.” More probably, though, the words on the second day mean the second day that was mentioned in 5.8, following the first day of 5.4-6. Some translations say “and again on that second day” (Revised English Bible) or “again, on this second day” (New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible), adding the words “this” or “that” for clarity. Other translations such as Today’s English Version and Bible en français courant restructure and say “And so the king and Haman went to eat with Esther for a second time.” Today’s English Version thereby makes clear that “the second day” means the day of the second banquet.
As they were drinking wine: for comments see 5.6 above. The king here repeats his double question of the first day. His questions and promises take the identical poetic form of the first time, except that this time he addresses Esther by her title of Queen (see comments at 5.6).
My kingdom: as in 5.3, the king specifies that the kingdom is his. Today’s English Version makes the fact of possession implicit by saying “the empire.”
Septuagint 7.1-2
The queen’s name is omitted in verse 1: “The king and Haman went in to drink with the queen,” but in omitting her name, the author draws attention to her royal status. In verse 2 she is addressed by her name and epithet, literally “Esther Queen.”
Although the king’s opening question is identical in form to his question in 5.6 above, Today’s English Version introduces it this time with the adverb “Now.” Stylistically this suggests that the story has moved forward to this point and to this question.
The Greek makes explicit to whom the king will grant the request: It shall be granted to you, or literally “may it be yours even to half of my kingdom” (compare 5.3).
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Noss, Philip A. A Handbook on the Book of Esther — Deuterocanon: The Greek Text. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .