Active listening is in taking the information from your ears and remembering it. (also helps with mutual understanding) It is used by parents to show their children a good example and to also remember what the person said. (Helps speaker feels that they are being listened to.)
Ea told Marduk that if he was victorious he would be the head god forever if Marduk would defeat Tiamat. Ea was a very smart god though he cannot make a deal of his own. Ea provided food, entertainment and a strong date of wine to the rest of the gods and make them agree of his idea.