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Commentary on Daniel 5 verses 30–31
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, Dan 5:30. 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, Jer 51:11, Jer 51:39. 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, Dan 5:31. They were partners in war and conquest, and so they were in dominion, Dan 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, etc. See Kg2 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.
Verses 30, 31. "On that same night Belshazzar, King of the Chaldeans, was slain, and Darius the Mede succeeded to his kingdom at the age of sixty-two." Josephus writes in his tenth book of the Jewish Antiquities that when Babylon had been laid under siege by the Medes and Persians, that is, by Darius and Cyrus, Belshazzar, King of Babylon, fell into such forgetfulness of his own situation as to put on his celebrated banquet and drink from the vessels of the Temple, and even while he was besieged he found leisure for banqueting. From this circumstance the historical account could arise, that he was captured and slaughtered on the same night, while everyone was either terrified by fear of the vision and its interpretation, or else taken up with festivity and drunken banqueting. As for the fact that while Cyrus, King of the Persians, was the victor, and Darius was only King of the Medes, it was Darius who was recorded to have succeeded to the throne of Babylon, this was an arrangement occasioned by factors of age, family relationship, and the territory ruled over. By this I mean that Darius was sixty-two years old, and that, according to what we read, the kingdom of the Medes was more sizable than that of the Persians, and being Cyrus's uncle, he naturally had a prior claim, and ought to have been accounted as successor to the rule of Babylon. Therefore also in a vision of Isaiah which was recited against Babylon, after many other matters too lengthy to mention, an account is given of these things which are to take place: "Behold I Myself will rouse up against them the Medes, a people who do not seek after silver nor desire gold, but who slay the very children with their arrows and have no compassion upon women who suckle their young" (Isaiah 13:17-18). And Jeremiah says: "Sanctify nations against her, even the kings of Media, and the governors thereof and all the magistrates thereof and all the land under the power thereof" (Jeremiah 51:28). Then follow the words: "The daughter of Babylon is like a threshing-floor during the time of its treading; yet a little while, and the time of its harvesting will come" (Jeremiah 51:33). And in testimony of the fact that Babylon was captured during a banquet, Isaiah clearly exhorts her to battle when he writes: "Babylon, my beloved, has become a strange spectacle unto me: set thou the table and behold in the mirrors those who eat and drink; rise up, ye princes, and snatch up your shields!" (Isaiah 21:4-5).
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SUMMARY
Daniel 5:31 serves as the concise yet profound epilogue to the dramatic narrative of Babylon's fall, declaring that "Darius the Median took the kingdom" at the age of sixty-two. This pivotal verse immediately follows the divine judgment pronounced upon King Belshazzar and his subsequent death, marking the precise and divinely orchestrated transfer of global power from the Babylonian Empire to the Medo-Persian Empire. It stands as a powerful testament to God's absolute sovereignty over human history, demonstrating His unfailing control over the rise and fall of nations and the meticulous fulfillment of His prophetic word.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Daniel 5:31 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most striking is Conciseness, as a monumental shift in world power—the fall of a mighty empire and the dawn of a new one—is encapsulated in a single, brief sentence. This brevity underscores the swiftness, inevitability, and divine precision of God's judgment and the seamless execution of His sovereign plan. There is also a strong element of Fulfillment, as the verse serves as the immediate and undeniable confirmation of the prophecies delivered by Daniel earlier in the chapter, particularly the "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin" inscription, demonstrating God's unfailing word. The mention of Darius's age adds a touch of Realism or Verisimilitude, grounding the dramatic, supernatural events in a specific, human detail that enhances the historical credibility of the account. Finally, the entire narrative leading to this verse functions as a powerful Irony: Belshazzar's night of revelry, defiance, and blasphemy ends abruptly with his death and the immediate transfer of his kingdom to an elderly Median ruler, highlighting the stark contrast between human pride and divine sovereignty, and demonstrating that God's timing and judgment are perfect.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 5:31 stands as a powerful testament to God's absolute sovereignty over human history and the transient nature of earthly power. It vividly illustrates that no empire, however mighty or seemingly invincible, can withstand the purposes of the Almighty. The swift, precise transfer of the Babylonian kingdom to Darius the Median demonstrates that God is not merely an observer of human affairs but the active orchestrator, raising up and bringing down nations according to His divine will. This theological truth offers profound comfort and a call to humility: comfort in knowing that God is ultimately in control, even amidst chaos, and a call to humility for all, especially those in positions of power, to acknowledge that their authority is ultimately derived from and subject to God. The events of this verse underscore the unfailing reliability of God's prophetic word, proving that what He declares will indeed come to pass.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 5:31 offers profound reassurance and a timeless challenge for believers today. In a world often characterized by political upheaval, shifting powers, and uncertain futures, this verse reminds us that God remains firmly on the throne, orchestrating all events according to His sovereign plan. Just as Babylon's fall was not a random occurrence but a divinely appointed judgment and transition, so too are the movements of history under His watchful eye. This truth invites us to trust in His ultimate control, even when circumstances seem chaotic or beyond human comprehension. Furthermore, the fate of Belshazzar serves as a stark warning against pride, sacrilege, and the failure to acknowledge God's supreme authority. It calls us to live with humility, recognizing that all power and privilege are gifts from God, to be used for His glory, not for self-exaltation or defiance. The seamless transition of power, from a mighty empire to a new one, underscores God's meticulous control over history, offering comfort and confidence in His ultimate triumph and inviting us to align our lives with His eternal purposes, knowing that His kingdom alone is everlasting.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who was Darius the Median, and how does he fit into secular history?
Answer: Darius the Median is a figure mentioned exclusively in the book of Daniel, specifically in Daniel 5:31, Daniel 6:1, and Daniel 9:1. Secular historical records of the Persian conquest of Babylon primarily credit Cyrus the Great as the conqueror and the first king of the unified Medo-Persian Empire. This apparent discrepancy has led to various scholarly theories seeking to reconcile the biblical account with extrabiblical sources. One prominent view is that "Darius the Median" was not a separate, independent king but rather a title or a viceroy appointed by Cyrus to govern Babylon immediately after its capture. He might have been a high-ranking Median general or official, perhaps Gobryas (Ugbaru in Babylonian texts), who oversaw the city's administration on Cyrus's behalf. This would explain why Daniel refers to him as "the Median" and notes his advanced age, suggesting an experienced administrator rather than the primary conquering king. Another theory suggests he might have been a sub-king or a temporary ruler before Cyrus fully consolidated his power. Regardless of the exact identification, the biblical account emphasizes his immediate and authoritative role in taking control of the kingdom, fulfilling the prophecy of the Medo-Persian succession.
What is the significance of Darius's age, "about threescore and two years old"?
Answer: The detail that Darius was "about threescore and two years old" (62 years old) when he took the kingdom is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it adds a touch of historical realism and specificity to the account, grounding the dramatic events in a tangible detail that enhances its credibility. Secondly, it suggests that Darius was an experienced and mature leader, a stark contrast to the young, arrogant Belshazzar. This maturity would have lent stability and authority to the new administration in Babylon, facilitating a smoother transition of power after the swift conquest. It might also imply that his role was administrative or transitional rather than that of a long-reigning monarch, as an older ruler might be appointed for immediate governance rather than a lengthy dynastic reign. This detail further underscores the divine precision in orchestrating the transfer of power, ensuring that the right individual, at the right age, was in place to fulfill God's purposes for the new Medo-Persian dominion.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 5:31, with its depiction of the sudden fall of a mighty earthly kingdom and the immediate transfer of power to a new ruler, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate, eternal kingdom established by Jesus Christ. While earthly empires rise and fall, their dominion is always temporary and subject to God's sovereign decree. Belshazzar's kingdom was "taken" by Darius, but the ultimate "taking" of all dominion belongs to the Lamb of God. Christ, as the "Son of Man" prophesied in Daniel 7:13-14, was given "dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one which shall not be destroyed." The swift judgment on Belshazzar and the transfer of his kingdom serve as a microcosm of the grander divine plan: the overthrow of all earthly powers that oppose God and the establishment of Christ's eternal reign. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered sin and death, thereby "taking" a kingdom not by military might, but by sacrificial love, delivering us from the domain of darkness and transferring us to the kingdom of His beloved Son. Ultimately, Daniel 5:31 points to the glorious future when the "kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:15), fulfilling God's eternal purpose for all creation.