Daniel is mourning and fasting and after twenty one days has a vision. An Angel appears and explains the warfare happening not just in the earth, but in the heavens. The angel assures Daniel that his prayers were heard as soon as he set his heart and humbled himself. And our prayers are also heard when we are covered by the blood of Christ, then we can come boldly to the throne Heb 4:16. But we also learn here, that there is opposition, principalities and powers, that must be overcome. Daniel is instructed to “pay attention to the words” and “you must not fear” and this is as he is seeing the battles among the kingdoms of men that were to come. And Israel, was right in the middle. Do you know that you are right in the middle? Put on the armor of God, Pray in faith knowing Jesus has overcome the world. 

The Word Was Reliable

Daniel 10:1–10
In Daniel 10:2-4 he was “in mourning” and fasting “and I did not use any ointment until the end of three weeks”. Many of us have begun a fast on the first day of a new year and if so, then “His mourning ended on the twenty-first day, the closing day of the passover feast; but the vision is not till the twenty-fourth, because of the opposition of “the prince of Persia” (Da 10:13).¹

Then in Daniel 10:4-6 “on the twenty fourth day of the first month … there was a man”. At least it appeared to be a man to Daniel. As we see later this is an angel, but here in vs. 6 we see a description using words like lightning, flames of fire, the sound of a multitude.

In Daniel 10:7-10 only Daniel saw him, but everyone with him sensed a great presence and ran to hide. Daniel alone is in the spirit realm having a new vision and being instructed by this angel. But Daniel is without strength in his presence, face down on the ground until the angel touched him and then he could only rise to his hands and knees.

Daniel is introducing this word about tribulation that he had received as he opens in Daniel 10:1. He said this word was reliable. Not every so called prophetic word is reliable and we should test before accepting. Then he says he understood the word and received understanding. When we hear something knew, we may understand the words and even the concept that is being shared with us. But there is something more that we may need, an understanding of how it will affect us and our actions and the people around us. In this encounter, Daniel got it all. 

Pay Attention to the Words

Daniel 10:11-21
The angel recognizes Daniels fear and you can imagine that Daniel might have been focused on his feelings but in Daniel 10:11 the angel says “pay attention … stand up”. Then, again calling him by name, in

Daniel 10:12 (LEB) And he said to me, “You must not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself ⌊before⌋ your God, your words were heard, and I myself have come because of your words.

God does hear our words, our prayers and angels, messenger, ministering spirits for us respond.

Hebrews 1:14 (LEB)  Are they not all spirits engaged in special service, sent on assignment for the sake of those who are going to inherit salvation?

But, as it says in Daniel 10:13 there are powers that resist even the coming of God’s word for us. Note though, that they could not prevent it. Today, we have full armor to fight as we should in

Ephesians 6:12 (LEB) because our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Then in Daniel 10:14 the angel gives his purpose in coming “I have come to instruct you about what will happen to your people in the future”. Again in Daniel 10:15-21 Daniel is on his face on the ground and the angel is encouraging him and strengthening him to hear what is to come because he, the angel, is off to fight “these beings”.

His Kingdom Will Be Divided

Daniel 11:1–9
Darius the Mede is protected in Daniel 11:1 and in Daniel 11:2 four more kings are coming in Persia, the last with great wealth and strength “then he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of ” Greece.
Continuing in Daniel 11:3-4 is the history we know of Alexander and the prophecy given in Daniel 8 and the division of his kingdom. So, Egypt grows strong in Daniel 11:5 and in Daniel 11:6 seeks an alliance by marriage with “king of the north” but it fails. in Daniel 11:7-9 Egypt rises up and takes back “their gods …” and return home. 

The Violent Ones Will Lift Themselves

Daniel 11:10–18
In Daniel 11:10 the Syrians “overflow like a flood” and in Daniel 11:11-12 Egypt rises up and “the multitude is carried off” and in Daniel 11:13-15 the king of the north comes against Egypt again, and many others and Egypt cannot resist them. In Daniel 11:16 this invader will “act according to his pleasure … he will stand in the beautiful land and complete destruction will be in his power”. Israel is right in the middle of this turmoil.

He Will Act Deceitfully

Daniel 11:19–27

Those Who Violate The Covenant

Daniel 11:28–37

Study Verses

• Daniel 10:1–10 The Word Was Reliable
• Daniel 10:11-21 Pay Attention to the Words
• Daniel 11:10–18 The Violent Ones Will Lift Themselves

Today’s Reading

• Daniel 10:1-21
• Daniel 11:1-37

References

• 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 642). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Daniel has had another vision and it is troubling. He is seeking to understand when Gabriel joins him and gives him an explanation of the kingdoms and times that reveals great destruction to come in Jerusalem and to God’s people. Daniel is physically ill after what he has seen. Darius conquers Babylon and in the first year, likely the year of great uncertainty and also when he faced the lion’s den, Daniel seeks prophecy about Israel and finds Jeremiah’s seventy years. He begins interceding for them and “a word went out” from heaven. Daniel has another vision and Gabriel again comes to bring understanding. 

Make This Man Understand

Daniel 8:15–22
Daniel had a vision and now in Daniel 8:15 “was seeking understanding”. He didn’t just let the vision go, he asked what it meant and in Daniel 8:16 a command was given, “Gabriel, make this man understand” and “As in the annunciation to Mary (Luke 1:28–30), Gabriel was bringing good news”.¹

But even so, “The approach of Gabriel caused Daniel to fall down in fear, as Ezekiel had done in his visions (Ezek. 1:28; 3:23; 44:4)”.²

As he fell, some would say under the weight of the glory, Gabriel touched him and stood him on his feet in Daniel 8:18. Now Daniel is in position to hear the message.

This vision if for “the period of wrath … the appointed time of the end” in Daniel 8:19. Then in Daniel 8:20 “The Ram … represents the kings of Media and Persia” so the ram in Daniel 8:5-8 was about the overthrow of the kingdom of the Medes and Persians. And in Daniel 8:21-22 it was the kingdom of Greece that would overcome them, but their leader would be removed and four would take his place “The death of Alexander in 323 BC, only ten years after the collapse of the Persian empire, followed by an extended struggle for power, is well-known history”.³

I Was Dismayed

Daniel 8:23–27
The explanation of the vision continues in Daniel 8:23-25 and another king will arise out of Greece and in Daniel 8:24 (LEB) “he will cause fearful destruction, and he will succeed and he will act, and he will destroy the mighty and the people of the holy ones.” And this is exactly what happened “he (Antiochus) killed forty thousand Jews and captured just as many.”⁴

Because of the explanation of this vision, in Daniel 8:27 “Daniel, was overcome, and I became ill for many days”. In some prior visions, Daniel had held the message within himself because it wasn’t time yet. The destruction in this vision was so devastating that it physically affected him. 

According To The Word of Yahweh

Daniel 9:1–10
Beginning in Daniel 7 we find accounts of visions that Daniel had from the first year of Belshazzar. Here in Daniel 9:1 is the third major vision that happens in the first year of Darius. Daniel is back in a position of leadership as Belshazzar had placed Daniel third in authority before Darius conquered the city and took over the Babylonian empire. The opposition that landed Daniel in the lions pit in Daniel 6 likely also happened during this first year of Darius. While we don’t know the exact timing of events, this first year of Darius would have been a time of tremendous change and uncertainty for the people of Babylon and maybe more so for anyone in a leadership position. So we can understand that Daniel would be searching through prophecy to know God’s will for Jerusalem and the children of Israel. And in Jeremiah, he finds an answer.

Jeremiah prophesied that Judah would be captive in Babylon for 70 years (see Jer 25:11 and note; compare Jer 29:10–14).⁵

The writer implies that the years of desolation were fulfilling some role, and had to take their course before any new building could take place. Seventy years was the fixed term of divine indignation (Zech. 1:12),5 described in 2 Chronicles 36:21 as ‘the days … it kept sabbath, to fulfil seventy years’⁶

Daniel begin intercession for God’s people in Daniel 9:3-10. In vs. 4 he acknowledges God’s greatness saying “the great and awesome God, keeping the covenant and loyal love with those who love him and with those who keep his commandments,” then confesses two things:

– We have rebelled in Daniel 9:5 we have sinned and we have done wrong and we acted wickedly and we rebelled and have been turning aside from your commandments and from your ordinances.
– We have not listened in Daniel 9:6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors and to all the people of the land.

Then he goes back and says “Righteousness belongs to you” in Daniel 9:7 and “on us is open shame” in Daniel 9:8.

And follows this with “Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord, our God” in Daniel 9:8 and we have not followed “his law” in Daniel 9:10.

The Law of Moses

Daniel 9:11–19
Daniel remembers the Law of Moses, which includes the blessing and the curse. It is the curse they have received as he prays in Daniel 9:11-14 saying “all Israel transgressed … so he carried out his words … Indeed Yahweh our God is righteous … but we have not listened. Daniel then shifts reminding God in Daniel 9:15-19 that they are “your people … according to your righteousness … for your sake … by your name”. Daniel asks the Lord to look beyond their actions and to remember his great name and to have compassion and remove their shame in

Daniel 9:19 (LEB) Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, pay heed and act! You must not delay for your sake, my God; because your city and your people are called by your name.”

A Word Went Out

Daniel 9:20–23
Gabriel showed up as he was praying in Daniel 9:20-23. Daniel was confessing his own sin, the sin of his people, and making a plea before the Lord.

• Daniel didn’t see himself in the presence of the Lord, he simply believed that the Lord was hearing his prayer, and He was.
• Daniel began his prayer because he thought he understood from Jeremiah that the time of Israel’s exile was seventy years, but Gabriel says in vs. 22, “I have now come out to teach you understanding”. Daniel was on the right track, but he needed more, and that didn’t come until he prayed.
• Daniel was worn out, in vs 21 “Gabriel … in my weariness touched me”.
• “A Word went out” when Daniel began to pray. Our prayer, our faith in God’s word is a trigger for action in heaven. And Gabriel has “come to declare it (the word, the decree, the decision)”.

Seventy Weeks is Decreed

Daniel 9:24–27
Daniel understood these words, but we need help. A good commentary brings these four short verses into a better context for us because they can bring together what is revealed in other books. “Daniel’s object was to prophesy to his nation as to the whole period from the destruction to the re-establishment of Israel; but this ninth chapter minutely predicts Christ’s first coming, and its effects on the covenant people.”⁷

We must also understand the time reference which is “literally, “Seventy sevens”; … four hundred ninety years”

“The Babylonian captivity is a turning point in the history of the kingdom of God. It terminated the free Old Testament theocracy. Up to that time Israel, though oppressed at times, was; as a rule, free. From the Babylonian captivity the theocracy never recovered its full freedom down to its entire suspension by Rome; and this period of Israel’s subjection to the Gentiles is to continue till the millennium (Rev 20:1–15)”.⁸

Study Verses

• Daniel 8:15–27 Make This Man Understand
• Daniel 9:1–10 According To The Word of Yahweh
• Daniel 9:20–23 A Word Went Out

Today’s Reading

• Daniel 8:15-27
• Daniel 9:1-27

References

• 1. Baldwin, J. G. (1978). Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 23, p. 177). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
• 2. Baldwin, J. G. (1978). Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 23, p. 177). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
• 3. Baldwin, J. G. (1978). Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 23, p. 178). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
• 4. Stevenson, K., & Gluerup, M. (Eds.). (2008). Ezekiel, Daniel (p. 256). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
• 5. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Da 9:2). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
• 6. Baldwin, J. G. (1978). Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 23, p. 183). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
• 7. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 640). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
• 8. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 640). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

The conquering king Darius is manipulated into signing an edict that would prevent Daniel from worshiping God. When Daniel hears it was signed, he opens his windows and prays. According to the law, the edict the king just signed, Daniel must be thrown in the lion pit. King Darius can’t find any way to save Daniel and at the last minute, when he can’t, he says “”Your God, whom you serve faithfully, may he rescue you!”. And at the first moment in the morning, king Darius found Daniel alive. God had protected him. Then Darius the king wrote to all the people living in the whole earth about the God of Daniel saying he is the living God.

You Must Sign

Daniel 6:6–12
The Chaldean leaders were conspiring against Daniel and used flattery to get the new kings ear, then used a sign of obedience to the king as a way to expose Daniels commitment to the Lord. This was manipulation pure and simple. In Daniel 6:7-8 they said “establish an edict of the king and to enforce a decree that whoever will seek a prayer from any god or human except from you for up to thirty days will be thrown into the lion pit.” then they added, “you must sign the document so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians which cannot be revoked.” Darius had been looking to establish these leaders as the ongoing government so may have wanted to affirm them and this seemed like a good way to gain allegiance from the people. Whatever his motives, Darius was caught in their trap and signed it in Daniel 6:9.

When the flatterers say, “Live forever”, lookout! When the whole group comes with “you must”, lookout!

Daniel heard about the interdict, the authoritative prohibition that people could only pray to Darius, he, in Daniel 6:10 “he went to his house … windows … open to Jerusalem), and three times daily he knelt on his knees and prayed and gave praise before his God, just as he had been doing previously”. And in Daniel 6:11 “these men … found Daniel praying” as they knew he would be. And in Daniel 6:12 “They approached and spoke to the king …” but they didn’t outright say Daniel was praying throw him into the lion’s pit. That would have been too obvious. They said, Uh, king, “Did you not sign an edict that … would be thrown into the lion pit?” and of course, the king responded “The matter as you have just stated is certain”. The trap had been sprung, there was no way out for Daniel, but Daniel already knew they wanted to remove him from his position and discredit him with the king. 

According To The Law

Daniel 6:13–24
In Daniel 6:13 “They responded and said before the king, Daniel …”. Now the king knows what this was all about, it was a scheme to destroy Daniel and in Daniel 6:14 “he was determined to rescue him. And until the setting of the sun …”. “Then these men came as a group … with respect to the law” in Daniel 6:16. They didn’t care about the law, they just wanted to force the king to sentence Daniel and in Daniel 6:17 “the king gave the command” with this addition, “Your God, whom you serve faithfully, may he rescue you!”.

The king took extraordinary measures in Daniel 6:17 “a stone was brought … and the king sealed it with his signet ring and with the signet rings of his lords, so that nothing would be changed concerning Daniel”. His signet ring was enough to mark the seal, but he saw how this group was operating and included witnesses for his actions. He was not taking any chances that others would interfere. But then, the king didn’t sleep. He had waited until the last minute to commit Daniel to the lions, and now in Daniel 6:18-20 he doesn’t wait one minute longer than necessary, “at first light, and he went in haste … and the king spoke … O Daniel … your God … was he able to rescue you …? Daniel responds in Daniel 6:21-23 “O king live forever … my God sent his angel … I was found blameless …”.

The king had kept his word, it was law. Daniel had kept his integrity, honoring the living God. God had kept his servant from harm. But no one could save “these men … who had accused Daniel …” as the king commanded, they, their wives and their children were thrown to the lions. This seems inhumane to us but “Among the Persians, all the kindred were involved in the guilt of one culprit. The Mosaic law expressly forbade this (De 24:16; 2 Ki 14:6)”¹ 

He Is The Living God

Daniel 6:25–28
So in Daniel 6:25-27 “Darius the king wrote to all the people … living in the whole earth … the God of Daniel … he is the living God … his dominion has no end … he is rescuing … he has rescued Daniel”. This is much “Stronger than the decree (Da 3:29). That was negative; this, positive; not merely men must say “nothing amiss of,” but must “fear before God.””²

“CYPRIAN: The foundation and strength of hope and faith is fear. In Psalm 111: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.””³

A Dream and Visions

Daniel 7:1–14
Daniel is separated from his position as prefect over the wise men and no longer the ruler over the whole province of Babylon and has fallen into obscurity from the kings court. He has time and God reveals things to him in Daniel 7:1-14. These are vivid images, as if he were actually there watching as he says in vs. 9. And these may have happened over many days as vs. 13 says “in the visions of the night”.

My Spirit Was Troubled

Daniel 7:15–23
Daniel was in the spirit, getting the interpretation from an angel near him. These were not just natural dreams, these were spiritual encounters where Daniel entered the heavenly realm where God is. And apparently he was authorized to be there because when he asked for an explanation in Daniel 7:16 it was given to him. In Daniel 7:17-18 the attendant said the four beasts are “four kings who will arise from the earth. But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and they will take possession of the kingdom forever, forever and ever.

Now, Daniel might have been satisfied that the holy ones would take the kingdom but he inquired further. And in Daniel 7:19-22 he watched as time unfolds and he sees the fourth beast and its horn that “made war with the holy ones and it prevailed over them, 22 Until the Ancient of Days came and gave judgment to the holy ones of the Most High; and the time arrived and the holy ones took possession of the kingdom”. Daniel 7:22 sounds a lot like Revelation 5-22. And Daniel was right, the fourth beast, the fourth kingdom, and it will devour the whole earth. 

The Court Will Sit

Daniel 7:24–28
This last king ill be different. Other kings have spoken against the “Most High” and other kings have “worn out the holy ones” but this king will push all limits to change “times and law”. Some have suggested that this will be the attempt to place our consciousness in something other than our natural bodies so we can live forever. But God alone sets the laws and times of this natural world. Eventually, the court of heaven will remove his dominion.

In Daniel’s visions and explanations he mentions the books being opened, the court sitting as in Daniel 7:26, judgement given by the Ancient of Days.

Another Vision

Daniel 8:1–14
A ram charging. Broken by a he-goat.

Daniel 8:10 (LEB) And it grew up to the host of heaven, and it threw down to the ground some of the host and some of the stars and trampled them.

Study Verses

• Daniel 6:13–24 According To The Law
• Daniel 6:25–28 He Is The Living God
• Daniel 7:24–28 The Court Will Sit

Today’s Reading

• Daniel 6:6-28
• Daniel 7:1-28
• Daniel 8:1-14

References

• 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 632). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
• 2. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 632). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
• 3. Stevenson, K., & Gluerup, M. (Eds.). (2008). Ezekiel, Daniel (p. 219). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Daniel has explained the second dream to Nebuchadnezzar and a year passes. Then, as he is complementing himself on all he has accomplished, the dream happens, he is expelled, living with the animals. Until he lifts his eyes, seven years later, and says, “I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and honor the king of heaven”. The book of Daniel forwards to Belshazzar, now king, grandson of Nebuchadnezzar who throws a feast and takes the gold from the temple in Jerusalem to drink from. Suddenly there is a hand writing on the wall and no one can read the message. Daniel has fallen into obscurity but one remembers and he is called. He reminds Belshazzar of what happened with his grandfather and explains the message, “God has numbered your kingdom and brought it to an end … you have been found wanting”. Belshazzar promotes Daniel to be third in the kingdom just before the Medes and Persians take the city and Belshazzar is killed. Did you get that, as Darius the Mede enters the city, Daniel is third over the whole kingdom.

The Kingdom Has Departed From You

Daniel 4:28–33
“At the end of twelve months …” in Daniel 4:28-30 the king is complementing himself on all he has done, so self satisfied. Then in Daniel 4:31 “a voice from heaven came, saying, ‘To you, King Nebuchadnezzar, it is declared that the kingdom has departed from you” and the details included in vs. 32 are the same as those revealed in the dream (see Daniel 4:25). And in Daniel 4:33 “immediately the word was fulfilled and he was expelled from human society …”.

The twelve month delay may have been Daniel’s advice “having mercy on the oppressed, in case there might be a prolongation of your prosperity.” (see Daniel 4:27)

External Evidence:
A recently published Babylonian cuneiform text seems to shatter the silence about Nebuchadnezzar’s illness. See the article by Siegfried H. Horn ‘New light on Nebuchadnezzar’s madness’ in Ministry Magazine at https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1978/04/new-light-on-nebuchadnezzars-madness

An Everlasting Sovereignty

Daniel 4:34–37
Nebuchadnezzar does “at the end of that period … lift up his eyes” in Daniel 4:34-37 and says “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and honor the king of heaven”. He is completely restored to his position “and abundant greatness was added to me” but there isn’t any further record of him in Daniel. 

They Took From the House of God

Daniel 5:1–6
Belshazzar is introduced in Daniel 5:1-6. The history of Babylon is not recorded, only the intervention of God in defense of the Jews. So here, the now king of Babylon is feasting and went beyond all previous limits and called for the gold taken from the temple in Jerusalem and they all “drank from them” in vs. 3. Then, in Daniel 5:5 “Immediately human fingers … wrote … on the plaster of the wall” and in vs. 6 the king was terrified.

What isn’t immediately clear is that “his city was at the time being besieged by Cyrus. The fortifications and abundant provisions in the city made the king despise the besiegers. It was a festival day among the Babylonians … drank … before the thousand—The king, on this extraordinary occasion, departed from his usual way of feasting apart from his nobles (compare Es 1:3).¹

Tell Me Its Explanation

Daniel 5:7–12
In Daniel 5:7 “The king cried aloud to bring in … the wise men … tell me its explanation” and in vs. 8 none could and in vs. 9 the king was “greatly terrified … and his lords were perplexed”. Then in Daniel 5:10-12 “the queen spoke up and said, … there is a man … let Daniel be called and he will tell the explanation”.

“As Daniel was probably, according to Oriental custom, deprived of the office to which Nebuchadnezzar had promoted him, as “master of the magicians” (Da 4:9), at the king’s death, Belshazzar might easily be ignorant of his services.”²

You Are Able

Daniel 5:13–22
The king offers wealth and position and knows Daniels reputation as one that is “able to produce interpretations and to solve riddles” in Daniel 5:16. Daniel though, knows the city is under siege and the kings offer is meaningless. Even so, he answers the kings request beginning in Daniel 5:17. Daniel honors king Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 5:18. Then he rehearses in Daniel 5:19-21 the time of his arrogance when the kingdom was taken from him “until he acknowledged that the most high God is sovereign over the kingdom of humankind”. And then speaks the truth, which this king may not have heard from anyone in some time, in

Daniel 5:22 “But you his successor, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart even though you knew all this.

Belshazzar was not mentioned before this but he was alive and witness to the things that had happened in the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar his grandfather “that Belshazzar was son (grandson) of Nebuchadnezzar is corroborated by Jeremiah” (Je 27:7)³ 

You Have Exalted Yourself

Daniel 5:23–31
Daniel explains that the king and all with him have, in Daniel 5:23 “exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven” and this writing in Daniel 5:24-28 says “God has numbered your kingdom and brought it to an end … you have been found wanting … your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians”.

The king doesn’t blink, in Daniel 5:29 he rewards Daniel and proclaims him third ruler in the kingdom.

Daniel 5:30–31 (LEB) That same night Belshazzar, the Chaldean king, was killed. 31 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom when he was about sixty-two years old.

“Cyrus diverted the Euphrates into a new channel and, guided by two deserters, marched by the dry bed into the city, while the Babylonians were carousing at an annual feast to the gods.”⁴

As it was told, the kingdom was split with Darius the Mede and Cyrus who “As a matter of history Cyrus headed up the Medo-Persian empire when he conquered Babylon in 539 BC.”⁵ 

Over The Whole Kingdom

Daniel 6:1–5
As the conquering army came in, Daniel was third in authority and in Daniel 6:1 “It pleased Darius, and he set up …” Darius was not interested in disrupting the order of these people. He wanted those that had been running things to carry on. And there was Daniel, right at the top, in Daniel 6:3 “distinguishing himself above the administrators”.

Study Verses

• Daniel 5:1-6 They Took From the House of God
• Daniel 5:23–31 You Have Exalted Yourself
• Daniel 6:1–5 Over The Whole Kingdom

Today’s Reading

• Daniel 4:28-37
• Daniel 5:1-31
• Daniel 6:1-5

References

• 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 630). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
• 2. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 630). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
• 3. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 630). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
• 4. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 631). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
• 5. Baldwin, J. G. (1978). Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 23, p. 139). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.