T H E K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S a willow; by constancy in virtue, not pliableness to vice.—Henry. An excel lent spirit was in him. What will an excellent spirit do for a man? Read the history of Daniel and find the answer. He was a captive. When does he com plain of his captivity? His spirit is free, his soul is not in bonds, and therefore it becomes of little consequence where his body is. Is the groan always in his throat? Is the frown upon his dejected countenance? If you would find real, healthy gladness, look at Daniel. He lives in the unseen. He goes right up to heaven to find answers to all prob lems. He who is spiritually minded thinks nothing of little local bodily cap tivity.— Parker. v. 4. Sought occasion against Daniel. It is as clear as the noon-day sun that these men who were seeking Daniel’s destruction were moved by envy. They had no reason to hate him, for he was a better man than any of them, but this very fact only made them more bitter against him and more determined to put him out of their sight.— Pettingill. v. 7. Have consulted together. It is no new thing for that to be represented as the sense of the nation which is far from being so, and .that which few would approve of is sometimes confi dently said to be that which all agree to.—Henry. v. 9. Darius signed the decree. We should beware of seeing with others’ eyes and hearing with others’ ears.— Sel. v. 10. Windows open towards Jerusa lem. The Jews in praying turned their faces toward the holy city. With us the upturned face and our dependence upon the Great High Priest are significant of a posture of soul analogous yet far su perior to the open window. Let the win dows be open toward the heavenly city from which for a time we are exiled.-®: Sum. Bible. This was no mere act of bravado on Daniel’s part, but simply the maintenance of a habit which had be come part of his life. It was this that kept his life sweet amid most unhelpful circumstances.— Holden. Prayed and gave thanks. Faith looks away from earthly circumstances to an omnipotent Lord.— Gaebelein. Daniel does not seem to have been called on to deny or de fend the indictment. His silence meant a quiet, patient fixed resolve to bear all and not to deny his God. Weak men bluster. Heroic endurance has gener ally little to say, but the entire depend ence is placed upon* God.—Maclaren.
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shadow of death and fear no evil. “ My God shall supply your every need.” The Tables Turned. The enemies of Daniel who were also enemies of the king and enemies of God, were pun ished. They were in the midst of hilarious security when the judgment of God was visited on them. They sought to secure the death of Daniel, but in stead brought death to themselves and their families. They deceived the king. They were ready to murder Daniel. They showed no mercy. They dug a pit, but they themselves fell into it. They received no mercy. They suffered the murder er’s doom. “ The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his/stead” (Prov. 11:8). The in fliction of death upon the women and children was the same sentence as was passed upon Korah’s family (Num. 16:27-33). “ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” PRACTICAL POINTS. (1) Promotion to position is often the precursor of trouble. (2) The Persian princes were like the Pharisaic Jews. (3) Note the depth of human de pravity. (4) Daniel had a prayerful spirit. Therefore, he prayed. (5) Daniel prayed at the peril of his life.' (6) Daniel was faithful in duty and safe in danger. (7) God turned the tables on the princes. v. 3. Daniel was preferred. Daniel was now very old, for it was about sev enty years since he was brought a cap tive to Babylon, yet he was as able as ever for business. COMMENTS FROM He had continued MANY- SOURCES faithful to his re- Keith L. Brooks ligion through all t h e temptations of the foregoing reigns in a new govern ment, and was as much respected as ever. He kept in by being an oak, not
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