In the biblical story, Xerxes throws a lavish banquet and orders his queen, Vashti, to appear before him and his guests. When she refuses, Xerxes becomes furious and removes her from her position as queen. He then holds a beauty pageant to find a new queen, and Esther is chosen.
After Esther becomes queen, her cousin Mordecai discovers a plot to assassinate Xerxes. He informs Esther, who in turn warns Xerxes. The assassins are caught and executed, and Mordecai is rewarded for his loyalty.
Later on, Haman, a high-ranking official in Xerxes' court, becomes angry at Mordecai because Mordecai refuses to bow down to him. Haman convinces Xerxes to issue an edict ordering the extermination of all Jews in the kingdom. Esther risks her life by approaching Xerxes and revealing her Jewish identity. She convinces Xerxes to rescind the edict, and Haman is executed instead.
The Book of Esther ends with Xerxes ruling peacefully and issuing a decree that ensures the safety of the Jewish people.
While the Book of Esther is a religious text and not a historical document, it does provide some insights into the life and reign of Xerxes I. Xerxes was known for his military campaigns, including his failed invasion of Greece in 480 BCE. He was also known for his lavish building projects, including the construction of the Palace of Persepolis.