DANIEL

I. Daniel 1:2, 3 Jehoiakim = Jehoiakin’s son (Jeconiah) II Chronicles 36:5, 6Daniel 1:2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;II Chronicles 36:5 Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God.6 Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.

A. Chronology 1. 608 First year of King Jehoiakim II Kings 23:34 under rule of Pharaoh Nechoh of Egypt.II Kings 23:34 And Pharaohnechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there. 

2. 605 First captivity Daniel 1:1, II Kings 24:1, 2 Daniel taken captive Jeremiah 36:1-6 (Three years Daniel eats vegetables and water)Daniel 1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.II Kings 24:1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.2 And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.

Jeremiah 36:1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,2 Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.

4 Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.5 And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I am shut up; I cannot go into the house of the LORD:6 Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD’S house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.

1. 608 First year of King Jehoiakim II Kings 23:34 under rule of Pharaoh Nechoh of Egypt.  2. 605 First captivity Daniel 1:1, II Kings 24:1, 2 Daniel taken captive Jeremiah 36:1-6 (Three years Daniel eats vegetables and water) 3. 604 Nebuchadnezzar the first died 4. 606-603 Vegetables and water for Daniel 5. 602 Daniel 2:1Daniel 2:1 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.

6. 599 Jeremiah 25:1 Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem 7. 597 Jehoiakim second captivity captives taken to Babylon. Ezekiel Jehoiachin and royal family taken captive. 8. 586 Zedekiah, eyes put out, children killed before him, captive to Babylon.

B. Observation 1. Isaiah 39:7; II Kings 20:17, 18Isaiah 39:7 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. II Kings 20:17 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.18 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

1. Isaiah 39:7; II Kings 20:17, 18 a. Need to take heed to the Word of God. b. Our actions affect our children’s well being 2. A godly man can leave behind ungodly children and grandchildren – Judges 2:10, I Samuel 2:12Judges 2:10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. I Samuel 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD. 

2. A godly man can leave behind ungodly children and grandchildren – Judges 2:10, I Samuel 2:12 a. Jehoahaz Son 3 months b. Jehoiakim (Eliakim) Son 11 years c. Jehoiachin Grandson 3 months d. Zedekiah (Mattaniah) 11 years ‒ temple destroyed e. Note Hezekiah, Manassah 55 years Amon 2 years Josiah 31 years ‒ 18th year of Josiah’s reign 26 years of age Book of the Law found while rebuilding the Temple.

3. Consequences for sin and rebellion a, Affects your house ‒I Timothy 5:8I Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.  b. Affects God’s house ‒Ephesians 2:19, Galatians 6:10Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith..

3. Consequences for sin and rebellion a, Affects your house ‒I Timothy 5:8 b. Affects God’s house ‒Ephesians 2:19, Galatians 6:10 c. Costs more than you want to pay, keeps you longer than you want to stay, takes you further than you want to go.

II. Who was Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah Daniel 1:3-6 Daniel 1:3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: A. Children of Judah B. Children of Israel C. King’s seed out of the prince’s seed

II. Who was Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah Daniel 1:3-6 A. Children of Judah B. Children of Israel C. King’s seed out of the prince’s seed D. Daniel 1:4Daniel 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

III. What did Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians desire to do to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah? Daniel 1:3-7Daniel 1:3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

A. The goal ‒indoctrination‒ 1. With learningספך say’-fer book 138, letter 29 evidences 8 times etc. learning on twice ‒ Best Education 2. Teach them the Chaldean language. 3. Things of God were placed in the house of the Babylonian gods. 4. Daniel 1:5 gave them the best Babylon had to offer ‒ meat that had been offered to their gods. Satan offers his best.Daniel 1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

a. Exodus 34:15, 16Exodus 34:15 Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;16 And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.

b. Numbers 25:1-5Numbers 25:1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.

c. Psalm 106:28Psalm 106:28 They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.  5. The goal was to make them Babylonians to follow the Babylonian gods. 6. They were given Babylonian names. a. Daniel ‒ Belteshazzar ‒ Prince of Baal b. Hananiah ‒ Shadrach ‒ illuminated by the son god c. Mishael ‒ Meshach ‒ as god like venus d. Azariah ‒Abednego ‒servant of the fire god

B. Observation 1. Satan offers his best for 3 years. a. Education b. Accomodations c. Meals 2. They were being assimilated into the Babylonian world ‒ but did not yield or forsake the Lord their God. a. Political pressure b. Religious pressure c. Peer pressure ‒Other children taken into captivity did not stand.

d. Captivity pressure e. Stomach pressure “The way to the heart is through the stomach. IV. Daniel purposed in his heart. A. Daniel 1:8 Purpose = put in your heart. Matthew 15:19, 20Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 

Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.  1. The battle for what drives you! a. I Samuel 17:29, 46, 47I Samuel 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.  b. I Corinthians 15:30I Corinthians 15:30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?

c. Acts 15:26Acts 15:26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  d. What have we purposed in our hearts? or put your life in jeopardy for or hazarded your life for the Lord.

1.) Psalm 119:106Psalm 119:106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

2.) Psalm 119:115Psalm 119:115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. 

3.) Acts 11:23Acts 11:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 

4.) II Corinthians 9:6, 7II Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  B. Daniel 1:9 What did God do for Daniel because he had purposed his heart?Daniel 1:9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

1. Why was that necessary? Daniel 1:10Daniel 1:10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.  2. We purpose in our heart to obey God’s Word and obey God’s calling and God will run interference for us ‒ prepare the way. Psalm 37:3-5

Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.  3. When you purpose in your heart to be and do all God wants of you to be and do you will prove the Lord! The Lord will do what he has promised. a. Malachi 3:10

Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 

b. II Corinthians 9:6-8II Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 

c. Judges 6:39Judges 6:39 And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.  d. I Samuel 17:34-39I Samuel 17:34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.

e. Deuteronomy 7:9, I Corinthians 1:9Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; I Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  f. II Thessalonians 3:3II Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

4. What will God do for Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah? Proverbs 2:6Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.  a. Knowledge ‒ Proverbs 1:7Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.  b. Skill ‒ understanding c. Learning ‒ book

d. Wisdom ‒ Proverbs 9:10Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.  e. Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. II Peter 1:16, II Peter 1:2, 3II Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

II Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 

5. The effects were observable in 10 days. Daniel 1:12-14Daniel 1:12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

a. Daniel 1:15Daniel 1:15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.   b. Daniel 1:15 only 4 stood. Most of the children did not stand with Daniel.Daniel 1:15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.

c. Daniel 1:16-20 After 3 years they were 10 times better!Daniel 1:16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.

20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

V. Daniel’s continuation A. Daniel 1:21Daniel 1:21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus. 

1. Destruction of Babylon Jeremiah 50:39-46Jeremiah 50:39 Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell there, and the owls shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation.40 As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.41 Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.

42 They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.43 The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail.44 Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the habitation of the strong: but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?

45 Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them.46 At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.  2. Daniel 5:24-31 Medes Persians take power away from BabylonDaniel 5:24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.

25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.30 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.

31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.  3. Daniel 11:1-3 Prophesizes the end of the Persian empireDaniel 11:1 Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.2 And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.3 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.

4. Daniel 10:1 Third year of Cyrus.Daniel 10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. 5. Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1; Daniel 9:25; II Chronicles 36:21-23; Ezra 7:9-26; Ezra 1:1, 2, 3Isaiah 44:28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

Isaiah 45:1 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; Daniel 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

II Chronicles 36:21 To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,23 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.  

Ezra 7:9 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.11 Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.

13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;15 And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,16 And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:

17 That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.18 And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.19 The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.20 And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king’s treasure house.

21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,22 Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.23 Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?

24 Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.26 And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.

Ezra 1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.3 Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.

a. Jeremiah 29:10Jeremiah 29:10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.  b. Jeremiah 25:12Jeremiah 25:12 And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.  c. Restore and build Jerusalem 1st exile return

1.) Ezra 4:24Ezra 4:24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. 

2.) Ezra 6:1-15Ezra 6:1 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.2 And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written:

3 In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;4 With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king’s house:5 And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.

6 Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:7 Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place.8 Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.

9 And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:10 That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.11 Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.

12 And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.13 Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.

14 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.15 And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

3.) Ezra 7:1, 8, 9, 11-26Ezra 7:1 Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, 8 And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.9 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.

11 Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;

15 And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,16 And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:17 That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.18 And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.

19 The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.20 And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king’s treasure house.21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,22 Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.

23 Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?24 Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.

26 And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment. 

4.) Nehemiah 2:1-8Nehemiah 2:1 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.2 Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,

3 And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.6 And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.

7 Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;8 And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.

6. Daniel 11:1-3 Three more dynasties of Media Persia emperors to beDaniel 11:1 Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.2 And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.3 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.

a. First dynasty1.) 559-530 Cyrus the Great ‒ Persian

‒ Darius ‒ Mede 536 conquers Babylon 529-521 Cambyses II = Ahasuerus ‒ work on Temple stopped 522 B.C. Ezra 4:6Ezra 4:6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. 

2.) 521-486 Darius Ezra 4:5 Work on Temple resumes and is completed.

Ezra 4:5 And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. 

a.) Prophet Haggai 520 b.) Prophet Zechariah 520 516 Temple

finished and dedicated. 3.) 486-465 Ahasuerus ‒ Xerxes Ezra 4:6,

Book of Esther ‒ 473 Esther is queen of Persia. Ezra 4:6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

4.) Artaxerxes I 465-424 Nehemiah 2:1Nehemiah 2:1 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence. a.) 458 Return under Nehemiah b.) 445 Nehemiah rebuilds the walls of Jerusalem. c.) 423-405 Darius II (The Persian) Nehemiah 12:22Nehemiah 12:22 The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, were recorded chief of the fathers: also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian.

d.) 404-359 Artaxerxes II e.) 358-338 Artaxerxes III

f.) 337-336 Artaxerxes IV (Darius III then new empire Greece Alexander the Great 436 440 Book of Ezra Prophet Malachi ‒ bulk of Nehemiah written