1. David’s second son, "born unto him in Hebron, of
Abigail the Carmelitess" #1Ch 3:1 He
is called also Chileab #2Sa 3:3
2. One of the four great prophets, although he is not once
spoken of in the Old Testament as a prophet. His life and prophecies
are recorded in the Book of Daniel. He was descended from one of the
noble families of Judah #Da 1:3 and was
probably born in Jerusalem about B.C. 623 during the reign of Josiah.
At the first deportation of the Jews by Nebuchadnezzar (the kingdom of
Israel had come to an end nearly a century before), or immediately
after his victory over the Egyptians at the second battle of
Carchemish, in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim (B.C. 606)
Daniel and other three noble youths were carried off to Babylon, along
with part of the vessels of the temple. There he was obliged to enter
into the service of the king of Babylon, and in accordance with the
custom of the age received the Chaldean name of Belteshazzar, i.e.,
"prince of Bel," or "Bel protect the king!" His
residence in Babylon was very probably in the palace of
Nebuchadnezzar, now identified with a mass of shapeless mounds called
the Kasr, on the right bank of the river.
His training in the schools
of the wise men in Babylon #Da 1:4 was to
fit him for service to the empire. He was distinguished during this
period for his piety and his stict observance of the Mosaic law #Da
1:8-16 and gained the confidence and esteem of those who were
over him. His habit of attention gained during his education in
Jerusalem enabled him soon to master the wisdom and learning of the
Chaldeans, and even to excel his compeers.
At the close of his three
years of discipline and training in the royal schools, Daniel was
distinguished for his proficiency in the "wisdom" of his
day, and was brought out into public life. He soon became known for
his skill in the interpretation of dreams #Da
1:17 2:14 and rose to the rank of governor of the province of
Babylon, and became "chief of the governors" (Chald.
Rab-signin) over all the wise men of Babylon. He made known and also
interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream; and many years afterwards, when
he was now an old man, amid the alarm and consternation of the
terrible night of Belshazzar’s impious feast, he was called in at
the instance of the queen-mother (perhaps Nitocris, the daughter of
Nebuchadnezzar) to interpret the mysterious handwriting on the wall.
He was rewarded with a purple robe and elevation to the rank of
"third ruler." The place of "second ruler" was
held by Belshazzar as associated with his father, Nabonidus, on the
throne #Da 5:16
Daniel interpreted the
handwriting, and "in that night was Belshazzar the king of the
Chaldeans slain." After the taking of Babylon, Cyrus, who was now
master of all Asia from India to the Dardanelles, placed Darius
(q.v.), a Median prince, on the throne, during the two years of whose
reign Daniel held the office of first of the "three
presidents" of the empire, and was thus practically at the head
of affairs, no doubt interesting himself in the prospects of the
captive Jews #Da 9:1ff. whom he had at
last the happiness of seeing restored to their own land, although he
did not return with them, but remained still in Babylon.
His fidelity
to God exposed him to persecution, and he was cast into a den of
lions, but was miraculously delivered; after which Darius issued a
decree enjoining reverence for "the God of Daniel" #Da
6:26 He "prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the
reign of Cyrus the Persian," whom he probably greatly influenced
in the matter of the decree which put an end to the Captivity (B.C.
536) He had a series of prophetic visions vouch-safed to him which
opened up the prospect of a glorious future for the people of God, and
must have imparted peace and gladness to his spirit in his old age as
he waited on at his post till the "end of the days." The
time and circumstances of his death are not recorded. He probably died
at Susa, about eighty-five years of age. Ezekiel, with whom he was
contemporary, mentions him as a pattern of righteousness #Eze
14:14,20 and wisdom #Eze 28:3
