_It pleased Darius_ That this Darius was the Cyaxares of Xenophon, as has been observed in note on Daniel 5:31, St. Jerome not only asserts, but proves by the testimony of Josephus, Trogus Pompeius, and other historians; so that it appears to have been the generally received opinion in his time, as... [ Continue Reading ]
_And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first _ He had been appointed one of the principal officers of state by Belshazzar, Daniel 5:29. The office to which he was now advanced seems to have been of the same sort with that conferred on Joseph by Pharaoh, Genesis 41:41. Grotius thinks th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel_ We may judge, from what is here said, how blameless Daniel was in his conduct, and of how great advantage it is to act with virtue and integrity. All the spite and malice of his enemies could not so much as find out a pretence... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the presidents, &c., have consulted to make a firm decree _ As Daniel's adversaries could have no advantage against him by any law now in being, they therefore contrive a new law, by which they hope to insnare him, and in such a matter as they knew they would be sure of doing it. They pretended... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house_, &c. He did not retire to the country, or abscond for some time, though he knew that the law was levelled against him; but because he knew it was so, therefore he stood his ground, knowing that he had now a fair opportunity o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying_ Their design being laid, they watched narrowly, and found, as they expected, Daniel upon his knees, making supplication, not to Darius, but to Jehovah, in flat opposition to the law signed by the king, and not to be violated without suffering its p... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then answered they, That Daniel_ Thus they expressed themselves by way of contempt; _which is of the children of the captivity of Judah_ This was added to aggravate his fault; that one who was a foreigner, and brought thither a captive, should offer a public affront to the laws of the king, whose f... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the king, when he heard these things, was sore displeased with himself_ Having too late discovered that the princes, in procuring him to sign this decree, had no other end or aim, but to take advantage of it to the prejudice of Daniel. The word באשׂ, here rendered _displeased_, which in Hebrew... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel_, &c. The king at last, though with great reluctance, and against his conscience, yields to the violence of Daniel's enemies, and signs the warrant for his execution: and that venerable, grave man, who carried such a mixture of majesty and sweetness... [ Continue Reading ]
_And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den_ Because, perhaps, it was seen that the lions did not seize on him immediately; and therefore, that they might have full opportunity to satisfy their rage and hunger, Daniel's enemies were determined he should be confined all night among t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the king went to his palace_ Vexed at himself for what he had done, and calling himself unwise and unjust for not adhering to the laws of God and nature, notwithstanding the law of the Medes and Persians; _and passed the night fasting_ His heart was so full of grief and fear, that he could eat... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then said Daniel_ Daniel knew the king's voice, though it was now a doleful voice, and spake to him with all the deference and respect that was due to him. _O king, live for ever_ He does not reproach him for his unkindness to him, and his easiness in yielding to the malice of his persecutors; but,... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the king commanded, and they brought those men_, &c. Darius, being animated by this miracle wrought for Daniel, now begins to take courage and act like himself: those that would not suffer him to show mercy to Daniel, now God has done it for him, shall be made to feel his resentments, and he wi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then King Darius wrote to all people_ He wrote to all the several nations in his extensive empire. Darius here studies to make some amends for the dishonour he had done both to God and Daniel, by now doing honour to both. _I make a decree, that men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel_ This de... [ Continue Reading ]
_So this Daniel prospered_ Observe, reader, how God brought good to him out of evil! The bold stroke which his enemies made at his life became the occasion of taking them off, and their children also, who otherwise would have stood in the way of his preferment, and have been, upon all occasions, vex... [ Continue Reading ]