Daniel Overview by Tod M. Kennedy
1. Theme: Daniel wrote about the individuals, nations, and events
that will dominate Israel from his time until Christ returns to earth
to rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This period is called the
Times of the Gentiles. Daniel's prophetic view left out the church age
because God had not revealed the coming church age to anyone.
2. Author and date: Daniel, about 530 BC (Dan 7.2, 15,28;
8.1-2,15,27; 9.1-3,22; 10.1-2,7,11-12; 12.4-5, 8-9; Ezek 14.14,20;
28.3; Mt 24.15; Mk 13.14).
3. Historical background:
3.1. The events of this book begin in 605 BC (Dan 1.1). The last
date notice is 536 BC (Dan 10.1).
3.2. In 605 BC the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar defeated
Egypt and Assyria at the Battle of Carchemish (May-June 605 BC). He
chased Egypt out of Syria-Palestine. While he was away his father,
Nabopolassar, died. Nebuchadnezzar hurried back to Babylon. He became
king and Babylon became the leading power of the day (2 Chr 35.20; 2
Kng 24.7; Jer 46.2).
3.3. Israel, the northern kingdom, had been conquered by Assyria in
722 BC. The northern kingdom was no longer a political entity at this
time. Assyria had broken up the northern kingdom and had deported many
Jews from Palestine.
The southern kingdom, Judah, was still a nation in her homeland.
Jehoiakim (609-598 BC) was the vassal king placed in power by Egypt.
When Nebuchadnezzar defeated Egypt and Assyria he allowed Jehoiakim to
remain king of Judah. He was an evil king and eventually rebelled in
598 BC.
3.4. The kings of Judah during this period were: Josiah (640-609
BC), who instituted reforms. He was killed at the battle of Carchemish
by archers of Pharaoh Neco of Egypt (2 Kgs 22-23; 2 Chr 34-35).
Jehoahaz (3 mo in 609 BC), whom Neco replaced (2 Kng 23.31-33; 2 Chr
36.1-3; Jer 22.11-12). Jehoiakim (609-598 BC) was an evil king. He
destroyed Jeremiah's writing. He rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar and
asked for help from Egypt. Nebuchadnezzar took him captive to Babylon
(2 Kng 23.34-24.7; 2 Chr 36.4-8; Jer 22.18-19; 36.27-32). Jehoiachin
(Dec 598-Mar 597 BC) was king when Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem in
March 597 BC. He was taken captive to Babylon along with Ezekiel and
10, 000 others (2 Kng 24.8-26; 2 Chr 36.9-10). Zedekiah, also called
Mattaniah, (597-586 BC) was installed by Nebuchadnezzar. He followed
the anti- Babylonian faction and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar.
Jeremiah had warned against this. He also tried to get Egypt to help
him but Egypt was too weak. Nebuchadnezzar marched on Jerusalem in
588. He captured the city and destroyed the temple in 586.
Nebuchadnezzar captured Zedekiah, killed his sons, blinded him and took
him to Babylon (2 Kng 24.17-25.21; 2 Chr 36.11-21; Jer 39.1-10).
Gedaliah (586 BC) was appointed governor by Nebuchadnezzar. Ishmael's
faction assassinated him (2 Kng 25.22-30; 2 Chr 36.22-23; Jer 40-44).
3.5. Nebuchadnezzar was the second and greatest king of the
Neo-Babylonian empire. His father, Nabopolassar, was the founder and
first king. The kings were: Nabopolassar (626-605); Nebuchadnezzar
(605-562); Evil-Merodach, his son (562-560); Neriglissar, son in law of
Nebuchadnezzar (560-556); Laborosoarchad, a son, (few months in 556);
Nabonidus, husband of Nitrocris and father of Belshazzar (556-539).
Nitrocris was a daughter of Nebuchadnezzar.
3.6. Cyrus the Great founded the Persian Empire (559-530 BC). He
conquered Media in 550 BC and Babylon in 539 BC. Ugbaru, governor of
Gutium, under Cyrus' authority conquered Babylon on an October night in
539 BC while Belshazzar was celebrating a festival (Dan 5). The city
welcomed Cyrus. He incorporated the Babylonian empire under his rule.
Cyrus signed the decree in 538 BC that authorized the Jews to return to
Palestine (2 Chron 36.22-23;Ezra 1.1-4; Dan 1.21, 6.28, 10.1.).
3.7. Darius the Mede (Dan 5.31; 6.1) became governor of Babylon
soon after the conquest by Cyrus. Darius the Mede was the Gubaru of
the Nabonidus Chronicle and Babylonian contract tablets.
4. Doctrinal background:
4.1. Israel had forsaken God's plan (eternal, historical, and
daily). She practiced unbelief toward God and toward His Word,
accepted false systems of thought (Satan's and the world system's), and
made idolatry her way of life. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and
Lamentations discuss this theme.
4.2. Since Israel was not willing to live God's plan God brought
His promised judgment and discipline upon her through Assyria and
Babylon (Deut 29-30; Jer 50.17).
4.3. God placed Israel under the cycles of discipline (Lev
26.1-39). He administered the fifth cycle through Assyria and Babylon.
4.4. Daniel understood this national divine discipline. He knew
when it would end. Daniel prayed a prayer of national confession in 539
BC (Dan 9; Jer 25.11; Lev 26.40-46).
5. Chapter titles:
Section 1 Daniel Enters Babylon
Chapter 1, The Hebrew captives pass the test.
Section 2, Nebuchadnezzar's Period, Chapters 2-4
Chapter 2, Dream of the gold, silver, bronze, iron, and iron and
clay statue.
Chapter 3, The gold image and fiery furnace.
Chapter 4, Nebuchadnezzar's testimony about the tree vision.
Section 3 Belshazzar to Cyrus Period, Chapters 5-6
Chapter 5, Belshazzar's party and the handwriting on the wall.
Chapter 6, Jealousy and the den of lions.
Section 4 Daniel's Visions about Future Kingdoms and Rulers,
Chapters 7-9
Chapter 7, The four beast dream.
Chapter 8, The ram and the goat.
Chapter 9, National confession and 70 weeks.
Section 5 The Angel Teaches Daniel about Events in the Last Days,
Chapters 10-12
Chapter 10, Introduction and angelic conflict.
Chapter 11. Future rulers and wars.
Chapter 12, Resurrection, three and one-half times, the end.
6. Bible Principles from Daniel.
1987 by Tod M. Kennedy
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