Daniel Deals Plainly with Belshazzar; Interpreting of the Writing on the Wall. (b. c. 538.)

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible · Matthew Henry · Public domain; electronic edition by Christian Classics Ethereal Library

DANIEL DEALS PLAINLY WITH BELSHAZZAR; INTERPRETING OF THE WRITING ON THE WALL. (B. C. 538.)

Here is, 1. The death of the king. Reason enough he had to tremble, for he was just falling into the hands of the king of terrors, Daniel 6:30. In that night, when his heart was merry with wine, the besiegers broke into the city, aimed at the palace; there they found the king, and gave him his death's wound. He could not find any place so secret as to conceal him, or so strong as to protect him. Heathen writers speak of Cyrus's taking Babylon by surprise, with the assistance of two deserters that showed him the best way into the city. And it was foretold what a consternation it would be to the court, Jeremiah 51:11. Note, Death comes as a snare upon those whose hearts are overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness. 2. The transferring of the kingdom into other hands. From the head of gold we now descend to the breast and arms of silver. Darius the Mede took the kingdom in partnership with, and by the consent of, Cyrus, who had conquered it, Daniel 6:31. They were partners in war and conquest, and so they were in dominion, Daniel 6:28. Notice is taken of his age, that he was now sixty-two years old, for which reason Cyrus, who was his nephew, gave him the precedency. Some observe that being now sixty-two years old, in the last year of the captivity, he was born in the eighth year of it, and that was the year when Jeconiah was carried captive and all the nobles, &c. See 2 Kings 24:13-15. Just at that time when the most fatal stroke was given was a prince born that in process of time should avenge Jerusalem upon Babylon, and heal the wound that was now given. Thus deep are the counsels of God concerning his people, thus kind are his designs towards them.

More for Daniel 5:30-31

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Daniel 5:1-31BELSHAZZAR'S FEAST. In regard to this chapter the peculiar state of the Septuagint text has to be noted. At the beginning of the chapter there are three verses which seem to be either variant versions of the Septuagint…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Daniel 5:1-31EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Daniel 5:17-31At the bar of God. "The God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified" (Daniel 5:23). In this tremendous scene Daniel may be regarded as counsel for the crown—for the everlasting c…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Daniel 5:18-31Daniel reads Belshazzar's doom. He had not taken warning by the judgments upon Nebuchadnezzar. And he had insulted God. Sinners are pleased with gods that neither see, nor hear, nor know; but they will be judged by One…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Daniel 5:30In that night was Belshazzar the King of the Chaldeans slain. The version of the LXX. is here very different, "And the interpretation came upon Belshazzar the king, and the kingdom was taken from the Chaldeans, and give…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Daniel 5:31And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about three score and two years old. It is probable that the Massoretic division of the chapters here is to be preferred. According to it, this verse is assigned to the begi…Joseph S. Exell and contributors