_In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah._ THE CAPTIVITY Jehoiakim was the son of one of the best kings that ever sat upon the throne of David. His father, Josiah, was a fearer of the Lord from his youth. In a period of great degeneracy, he was enabled to live a holy and consisten... [ Continue Reading ]
_Children in whom was no blemish._ PIETY AT COURT I. THE HISTORY OF DANIEL’S FIRST APPEARANCE. 1. It is evident that this lad had come in with the others when Nebuchadnezzar led home his captives from the smoking ruins of Jerusalem. 2. Suddenly comes a summons for this young Hebrew to take a pos... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Learning and Tongue of the Chaldeans._ FACILITY IN ACQUIRING LANGUAGES It is amazing what pains some saintly people have taken in order to win souls for Christ! When John Wesley was crossing the seas on his way to Georgia, he found on board a number of German emigrants who were also crossing t... [ Continue Reading ]
_A daily provision of the King’s meat._ THE UNNAMED CAPTIVE ROYAL CHILDREN 1. That we should abstain from the least appearance of evil. Daniel and his three companions, alone of the royal children, refrained from partaking of the meat that probably had been offered to idols. They would avoid the le... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Prince of the Eunuchs gave names._ NAMES The highest import of names arises from their association with the highest of all beings. Among Jews and Christians a name gathers round it a halo of beauty, strength, and sanctity, by reason of its relations with the divine. In pagan climes a name beco... [ Continue Reading ]
_But Daniel purposed in his heart._ A SERMON TO YOUNG MEN The scene of this heroic resolution was Babylon. The circumstances add lustre to the moral grandeur of the brave purpose. To appreciate the splendid courage of this purpose, you must imagine yourself placed in Daniel’s position. A captive bo... [ Continue Reading ]