Now the king sat in the winter house, in the ninth month,.... The month Cisleu, which answers to part of November, and part of December; and so was the midst of winter, and a proper time for the king to be in his winter house; though, as this was a fast day, it would have been more proper for him to have been at the worship of God in the temple, Jer 36:9.
This winter house probably was a winter parlour, as distinguished from a summer parlour, Jud 3:20; and both might be under the same roof, or parts of the same house; only the one might be more airy and cool, and the other more close and warm.