Charles Ellicott Commentary Esther 7:2

"And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed." — Esther 7:2 (ASV)

What is thy petition? —The king takes for granted that Esther’s invitations to her banquets do not constitute her real request, but merely prepare the way for it.