My notes on the book of Daniel- na verse by verse commentary and notes on Daniel 1

Verse by verse presentation on the book of Daniel chapter 1, th

1. northern kingdom of Israel composed of ten tribes, and then there was the southern kingdom of Judah composed of two tribes, Judah and Benjamin Because of its gross idolatry, in the year 722 BC, the ten northern tribes of Israel were conquered and were destroyed by the Assyrians The prophet Jeremiah prophesied that Judah would spend 70 years of captivity in Babylon. Jeremiah 25:11: Babylon fought and defeated Egypt, Egyptians retreated back to their own homeland, giving complete control of Palestine to the Babylonians. Nebuchadnezzar came with his seasoned army that had put the Egyptians to flight, and he came to Jerusalem. And He put the City of Jerusalem under siege.

2. When the books of Daniel and Revelation are better understood, believers will have an entirely different religious experience. They will be given such glimpses of the open gates of heaven that heart and mind will be impressed with the character that all must develop in order to realize the blessedness which is to be the reward of the pure in heart.—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 114.

3. t is possible to live a faithful life while surrounded by pagan influences, if one serves the Lord wholeheartedly ( ch. 1). God can give his faithful servants abilities that cause even unbelievers to appreciate them ( chs . 2; 3; 6). Nevertheless, believers should not assume that God will always rescue them from harm (3:16–18). God humbles the proud and raises up the humble. Even the hearts of the greatest kings are under his control ( chs . 4; 5). This world will be a place of persecution for God’s people, getting worse and worse rather than better and better ( chs . 2; 7). The Lord will judge the kingdoms of this world and bring them to an end, replacing them with his own kingdom that will never end. This kingdom will be ruled by “one like a son of man” who comes “with the clouds,” a figure who combines human and divine traits (7:13).

4. God is sovereign over the course of history, even over those who rebel against him and seek to destroy his people ( ch. 8). The Babylonian exile was not the end of Israel’s history of rebellion and judgment. In the future, Israel would continue to sin against the Lord, and Jerusalem would be handed over to her enemies, who would damage her temple and do other offensive things ( chs . 8; 9; 12). Eventually, though, the anointed ruler would come to deliver God’s people from their sins (9:24–27). These earthly events are reflections of a great conflict between angelic forces of good and evil ( ch. 10). Prayer is a significant weapon in that conflict (9:23). God rules over all of these conflicts and events, he limits the damage they do, and he has a precise timetable for the end of his people’s persecutions. At that time he will finally intervene to cleanse and deliver his people ( ch. 12). In the meantime, believers must be patient and faithful in a hostile world, looking to the Lord alone for deliverance (11:33–35).

5. His birth and linage are left in complete obscurity except that he was of the royal line, probably of the house of David, which had at this time become very numerous.  Jeremiah and Habakkuk were yet uttering their prophecies. Book of DanielEzekiel commenced soon after and a little later, Obadiah. But both these finished their work years before the close of the long and brilliant career of Daniel.

6. babylon Tower of babel, grew under Hammurabi, decline, Neo Babylonianian Empire , founded by Nabopolassar in 626BC after overtrowing Assyrian empire Reached its pick under Nebuchadnezzar 11, Hanging gardens, one of the 7 wonders of the world, Ishtar Gate Religion- Polytheistic, acentrd around God Mudduck Culture_ advanced in astronomy, mathematics, and architecture

7. Isaiah 28:10 “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

8. Daniel 1:1-2 “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

9. In chapters 1-6 the stories are consistently narrated from the third person in regard to Daniel. An example of this is in 1:8. "But Dan iel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food." Daniel's thoughts and actions are described in the third person, as though the stories are being narrated by an imaginary author. Exceptions to this (e.g., 2:27-45) occur in pas sages that appear as quotations of Daniel's speech. In chapters 8-12, however, the material is narrated from the first-person perspective. "In the third year of the reign of Belshaz zar the king a vision appeared to me, Daniel. . . . And I looked in the vision" (8:1). Chapter 7, however, is technically in the third person, though in practicality it is in the first

10. The second major section (chapters 7-12) more particularly addressed the nation of Israel, which explains the shift back to Hebrew after chapter 7.

11. The first major section (chapters 2-7) emphasizes the Gentile nations under whom Israel is being disciplined. This would explain why these chapters were written in Aramaic, for Aramaic was the lingua franca of the Gentile world in Daniel's day. chapters 2-7 depict the role, character, and succession of the Gentile nations of the world under whom Israel is being disciplined before Messiah's kingdom.-These chapters affirm that these Gentile kingdoms have the right of world sovereignty (under God's authority) until God is pleased to establish the messianic kingdom, and that no adversary can successfully oppose Him (2:44; 4:3, 34-35; 5:21; 6:26; 7:14, 27).

12. Jehoiakim reigned from 609-598 B.C. and “did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord” 2 Chronicles 36:5 King Nebuchadnezzar put the vessels from the temple of God into the temple of Marduk (formally named Bel) the god of the Babylonians, Jeremiah 50:2. Note: Jerusalem was besieged 2 more times, once under the reign of Jehoiachin 597 B.C. and secondly under the reign of Zedekiah in 586 B.C. in the which, Jerusalem’s walls were pulled down also the temple, and the city was burned only leaving husbandmen to tend to crops. (2 Kings 24 & 25; 2 Chronicles 36

13. Chapter Theme 1 Introduction: Daniel and his friends in Babylon 2 A – Vision of four kingdoms (Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the statue) 3 B – Faithfulness under trial (Fiery furnace) 4 C – Judgment on a proud king (Nebuchadnezzar) 5 C′ – Judgment on a proud king (Belshazzar) 6 B′ – Faithfulness under trial (Daniel in the lion’s den) 7 A′ – Vision of four kingdoms (Daniel’s vision of the beasts)

14. Center (Chapters 4–5 ): The central focus is on God’s judgment on arrogant rulers, emphasizing divine sovereignty.Outer Layers (Chapters 2 & 7): Both present prophetic visions of successive world empires, showing God’s control over history.Middle Layers (Chapters 3 & 6 ): Highlight faithfulness in persecution, where God delivers His faithful

15. Let Scripture interpret Scripture – Many symbols are explained within the book itself or in related prophetic books like Revelation.Use the historicist method – Prophecies unfold in a linear, historical timeline from Daniel’s day to the end of time.Look for repetition and expansion – Later visions repeat earlier ones but add more detail (e.g., Daniel 2, 7, 8, and 11).Understand apocalyptic language – Symbols often represent kingdoms, powers, or spiritual truths.

16. Let Scripture interpret Scripture – Many symbols are explained within the book itself or in related prophetic books like Revelation. Use the historicist method – Prophecies unfold in a linear, historical timeline from Daniel’s day to the end of time. Look for repetition and expansion – Later visions repeat earlier ones but add more detail (e.g., Daniel 2, 7, 8, and 11). Understand apocalyptic language – Symbols often represent kingdoms, powers, or spiritual truths.

17. Daniel Chapter 1 Daniel 1:3-5 “And the king spoke unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; 4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured , and skilful in all wisdom , and cunning in knowledge , and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.”

18. interpretation 7 And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” isaih 39.7 an idolatrous king demanded perfection in those who were chosen. And he was so concerned in their well being, that he would not allow ordinary food to be fed to them

19. Daniel 1:6-7 “Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael , and Azariah: 7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael , of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.”

20. Why change their names: 1. It was customary, but 2. This was to encourage them, or influence them, to compromise, (conform to), and take up the idolatrous religion and practices that encompassed them in the Babylonian nation. Satan strategy is to change our Identity

21. Vs 8 Daniel 1:8 “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself .” first test that these young men were faced with was the test of appetite. Defile- pollute, staining( Is 59.3,Zep 3.1,Mal 1.7) Adam and Eve’s first test was upon appetite. (Genesis 3:1-3) Christ’s first test in the wilderness, in reclaiming what man had lost, was appetite. (Matthew 4:3 Why would Daniel “purpose” in his heart not to partake of the King’s food: Possibly ; a portion of the food and wine was unfit to eat and drink according to the laws of health. (Leviticus 11; Proverbs 20:1), they could not trust the pagan king with their bodies, just to be safe, they also believed their physical healthy was in the hands of God Strangled , blood not drained Possibly it was sacrificed to idols There is culture in eating, sign of fellowship, commit to friendship

22. Purposed, requested Their parents did a good job in instructing them as children in the way that they should go, Proverbs 22:6 Purposed:Determined , set establish, commit- the heart must be set, make your mind in advance, must be convinced, there was not guese work, he was set How Easy was it for Daniel to make the request: 1. It was a king’s command 2. regarded as un-cooperative 3.Real threat of punishment , remember the kings ‘s cruelty( Jer 39.6-7, Jer 29.22.4.Food must have been attractive 5. They were away from home 6. God had”led ” them there