Daniel by Ellen Caughey

Author:Ellen Caughey [Caughey; Ellen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-62416-397-5
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 1998-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

Secret Code:

7

Belshazzar’s Party

The palace of Babylon had become a lonely place for Daniel. Many years had passed since Nebuchadnezzar ruled the empire, and many years had passed since a godly king sat on the throne. Now in the year 539 BC, few in the palace remembered the courage and faith of Daniel and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Or even knew who they were.

Daniel and his friends were simply old men, all around eighty years old, who somehow, sometime, had earned the respect of a long-ago ruler.

Would they ever be allowed to return home to Jerusalem? Or had God planned for them to live out their days here? Until recently, they had no reason to hope. But now there was talk throughout the palace that the armies of the Medes and Persians were nearing the famous city walls of Babylon.

Seated together in one of the palace’s many gardens, the four friends were troubled. Had anyone told the new king about Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream? they wondered. The one of the statue? Nebuchadnezzar was the head of gold, but after him came the kingdom of Medo-Persia, the Medes and the Persians.

The great kingdoms of Media and Persia lay almost directly to the east of the kingdom of Babylon. In 550 BC, Cyrus the Great of Persia had conquered Media, and now, together with General Darius the Mede, he turned his attention to Babylon. Since the death of Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus knew Babylon was not the force it once was. And if he conquered Babylon, the world could be his very soon.

“Do you think one of us should warn King Belshazzar? Or even King Nabonidus when he returns? Maybe if Belshazzar prayed to God, this war might be delayed,” suggested Hananiah.

“God has not directed me to do that,” Daniel answered slowly. “And we all know that God is not welcome in the king’s chambers—at least, not yet.”

“You are right as always, my friend,” Azariah said. “And what is welcome in the king’s chambers…” With sadness in their eyes, they all shook their heads.

Two kings, father and son, now shared the throne of Babylon. The father, King Nabonidus, who was married to the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar, ruled the empire outside the city of Babylon. Belshazzar, his son, ruled the city from the throne in the palace.

Even though King Belshazzar was the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, he had little in common with the former king. Instead of keeping Babylon secure from its enemies, he spent his time entertaining at lavish parties, drinking too much wine, and worshipping his many idols—idols of silver, gold, wood, and stone.

Although he was aware that Babylon would soon be at war, Belshazzar made a typical entrance, skipping into his chambers while humming a silly tune, only to meet a sea of dark and serious faces. The faces of his military advisers.

“Why so sad today? Haven’t you heard—but surely you were invited—tonight I’m giving my biggest party yet!” Belshazzar could not keep from giggling. He had obviously been drinking and it was early in the day.

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