The answer is: The king and Haman

Esther 7:1

Queen Esther hosted some significant and intense banquets during a time of peril for her people, the Jews. By inviting King Xerxes and his high-ranking official Haman, Esther cleverly set the stage for an unfolding drama that would turn the tide against an imminent disaster. These gatherings were not just about food and feasting, but a deeply strategic maneuver in court politics.

The number of three banquets mentioned in the story echoes a biblical pattern of testing and buildup, like the three days of fasting preceding her first banquet. This period of abstaining from food wasn't by chance; it reflected the anxiety and urgency facing Esther as she ventured to reveal her identity and purpose to the king. Ancient Persian pomp included extensive feasting, turning each banquet into a display of opulence and string-pulling, essential for making an appeal when lives were on the line.

Moreover, the contrasts between Esther's humble beginnings as an orphan and the heights she attains throughout the story remind us of the unpredictability of destiny. Did you know that the book of Esther is one of two biblical books that doesn’t explicitly reference the name of God? This absence invites pondering the hidden ways divine intervention works through human actions.

Fun fact: the way Haman’s plot turns back on him is a gripping reminder of poetic justice, similar to how in literature and life, villainous scheming often backfires spectacularly. So, while Esther’s moves led her to greatness, they also shone a light on the impact of courage and agency in moments of fear.