CONTENTS The prophecy of Daniel opens with an account of the captivity of Israel. Daniel is among those who were carried to Babylon in the captivity. He finds favor in the sight of the keeper of the prisoners. Is permitted to abstain from the food of the Court. Is commended for his understanding.... [ Continue Reading ]
These verses are introductory to the main subject of the Prophet's writings. He relates the circumstance of the captivity. We find a confirmation of the same, Isaiah 39:1; Jeremiah 52:1. I only detain the Reader at these verses to remark the awful event of the carrying away the sacred vessels of the... [ Continue Reading ]
What the immediate design of this heathenish monarch was is not said; but it is blessed to watch how the Lord over-rules it for his glory and his people's happiness. Jesus is always ordering all things to this end, whatever the designs of the Church's enemies may be. Oh! that the people of God could... [ Continue Reading ]
The change of names could, have no good design. No doubt it was to make them forget both the Lord, and their interest in Him as a covenant God. The custom in Israel, of giving names to their children, which, either by direct words, or indirect meaning; had reference to the God of their fathers, was... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark the grace and watchful eye of the Lord in this instance over his people, or we shall lose the chief beauty of the history. Surely, nothing but grace could have prompted young men, like Daniel and his companions, to use such an abstinence in the King's court, with all their passions about them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader! when the Church of God; (which Daniel and his companions represented), is called in to stand before the King; and Jesus himself communes with his redeemed! how fully will it be found, that there can be none like the Church in point of knowledge, skill, and wisdom: because Christ himself is m... [ Continue Reading ]
If we consider Daniel to have been but a youth of about fifteen when brought to Babylon, and from all his history, he could not have been younger at that time, he must have lived to a good old age; for the first year of Cyrus did not commence until the whole seventy years of the captivity had run ou... [ Continue Reading ]