_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 ]