2 Kings 21:10-15; 23:25-27, Background to Daniel (1)

 We are ready to tackle the great and amazing book of the prophet Daniel.  Let’s use the opportunity to do a survey of mankind up until Daniel’s time.

§  Adam and Eve (Gen. 1-2). Sin (Gen. 3). Promise of the Savior (Gen. 3:15).

§  Noah (Gen. 6-9). The Nations (Gen. 10). Babel (Gen. 11).

§  Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Gen. 12-50). Moses and Joshua (Exodus – Joshua).

§  Samuel, King Saul (1 Samuel). David, Solomon (2 Samuel – 1 Kings 11).

§  The Divided Kingdom of Israel:

o   Northern Kingdom: never broke free from the idolatry introduced by the first king Jeroboam.  Came to an end in 723BC at the hand of the Assyrians.

o   Southern Kingdom:

§  Up and down spiritually and in every other way.

§  Hezekiah, 715-685.  Time of revival.  The NK was carried away early in his reign.  But as King he trusted God against the same Assyrians and he and Jerusalem were spared.  His kingdom thrived.

§  Manasseh, 695-642.  52 years; extremely evil.  During his reign God announced doom on Judah (2 Kings 21:10-15).

§  Amon, 642-640.  The evil continued.

§  Josiah, 640-609.  The last righteous king.  In 2 Kings 22 the Book was found.  In Ch. 23 true worship was restored, although the king commanded it and the prophet Jeremiah indicated that, for the most part, it was a hypocritical worship by the people.  Summary: 2 Kings 23:25. God relented during Josiah’s reign, but Judah’s punishment remained a certainty, 2 Ki. 23:26-27.

Into this time was born Daniel, a man highly exalted by God.  Born in Jerusalem, possibly of royal blood, about 623BC, during the reformation of Josiah and the early ministry of Jeremiah.  Daniel means “God is Judge” or “God is my Judge.” 

He was taken to Babylon in the first of three deportations under Nebuchadnezzar (605BC).  He was selected for royal service after a period of three years of special study, being renamed “Belteshazzar” by the officials of Babylon.  This name was meant to connect him to one of the Babylonian deities and the name means, “Bel protects him.”

In 602BC around 20 years of age he was made ruler over the province of Babylon and head of the college of “wise men.”  He then served as chief advisor of Babylon, doubtless exerting influence for the Jewish captives arriving in later deportations. 

Over a period of nearly seventy years, Daniel served under six Babylonian and two Persian rulers.  Under three of them (Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and Darius I) he was elevated to prime minister.  He served in this capacity during both Judah’s captivity and return to Judah.