THE BOOK OF DANIEL by D. Hildreth

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 30, 1861

THE BOOK OF DANIEL.

By D. Hildreth

THIS book is naturally divided into two parts—the first historical, and the second prophetic. The book is divided into twelve chapters, the first six being historical, and the last six prophetic. There is a prophetical dream in the second chapter, but it is Nebuchadnezzar's and belongs to the historical part of the book. Chap. i. In the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came against Jerusalem and took it, and carried away some of the chief men of the city to Babylon, among whom were Daniel and his three companions. Verses 1, 2; 2 Kings xxiv; 2 Chron. xxxvi. Chapter i. gives an account of the learning, wisdom, and promotion of Daniel and his three fellows.

Chap. ii. This chapter gives an account of Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the metallic image and its interpretation.

Chap. iii. Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold about a hundred feet high, and set it up in the plain of Dura, and commanded all people to worship it. But Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to obey, and were cast into the fiery furnace. See with what boldness they answered the king. Verse 16. After Daniel had interpreted the dream the king made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, but he preferred a lower station; and at his request his three friends were placed over the affairs of Babylon. Chap. ii, 48, 49. It was no doubt through envy that certain Chaldeans made known to the king that these men did not worship his image [verses 8-12], as also was the fact in the case of Daniel. Chap. vi.

Chap. iv. gives an account of Nebuchadnezzar's singular abasement, and his re-instatement in his kingdom.

Chap. v. gives an account of Belshazzar's impious feast, the hand-writing on the wall, and the overthrow of the Babylonian kingdom by the Medo-Persian power.

Chap. vi. tells of Daniel's high station in the Medo-Persian kingdom, and his being cast into the den of lions.

We now come to the second division of the book. Daniel now goes back and gives an account of his visions, which were not introduced into the narrative of his book for they would have interrupted the history.

Chap. vii. This chapter contains the vision of the four beasts and was given to him in the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon.

Chap. viii. This chapter contains the vision of the ram and he-goat, the date being the third year of Belshazzar.

Chap. ix. In the first year of Darius the Median, Daniel, perhaps reflecting on the vision given him fifteen years previous, recorded in the eighth chapter, opened the book of Jeremiah the prophet, and there read that after seventy years the Lord had promised to bring his people again to their land [Jer. xxix, 10], and perhaps thinking that the 2300 days referred to the same event, and that the captivity of his people had been prolonged, set his face unto the Lord with prayer and supplication, fasting, sackcloth and ashes, confessing his own sins and the sins of his people, and praying the Lord not to defer his promise. In answer to his prayers Gabriel was sent who explained to him the vision.

Chapters x, xi, xii. Daniel had three distinct visions; 1, of the four beasts [chap. vii], 2, of the ram and he-goat [chap. viii], the same explained in chap. ix, and 3, the great vision of the tenth, eleventh and twelfth chapters. The reason why Daniel calls this a great vision [chap. x, 8] was probably owing to the power and glory there exhibited. Chap. x. is the introduction to the vision. Chap. xi. is the prophetic words of the angel, also chap. xii, 1-4. The rest of the chapter is the conversation of those present. The division of the tenth and eleventh chapters is unfortunate as it obscures the sense, and leaves the reader in doubt as to who the speaker of the eleventh chapter is. All three chapters would be much plainer if they were but one. A few considerations will make it plain that the speaker of the eleventh chapter and part of the twelfth is an angel.

1. The vision related in these three chapters was given in the third year of Cyrus. Chap. x, 1. The speaker in chap. xi, 1 says, "Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I stood to confirm and to strengthen him. Verse 2. And now will I show thee the truth." Did Daniel confirm Darius and show him the truth? Certainly not, for that which was noted in the Scriptures of truth [chap. x, 21] was revealed to Daniel in the third year of Cyrus who reigned after Darius. Chap. v, 30, 31; vi, 28. Daniel had little to do in strengthening kings, but angels are sent to execute the will of God. Chap. x, 13, 20, 21; ix, 20-23.

2. It is not reasonable to suppose that Daniel would call this a great vision and neglect to narrate it as he had other visions. He would not give such a lengthy introduction and then neglect to give the words of the angel.

3. The angel would not have exhibited such a display of divine power, and then have gone away without uttering some important prophecy, although he said he was going to return to the kings of Persia. Verses 15, 20.

4. The angel says [x, 21], "I will show thee that which is noted in the Scripture of truth." In chap. xi, 2, he repeats, "Now will I show thee the truth," and then continues with a prophecy reaching to the end of the world. Connect the xth and xith chapters, and enclose the first verse of the xith in a parenthesis, and all is plain.

5. The man clothed in linen is mentioned in chap. x, 5; and xii, 6, 7, showing it to be the same vision. Also the angel says to Daniel [xii, 1], "The children of thy people," meaning of course Israel. Daniel was the only prophet to whom was revealed the prophetic periods. He is mentioned by Ezekiel, chap. xiv, 14; xxviii, 3. D. HILDRETH.