Daniel: Context 2/14/10pm

In the Days of Nebuchadnezzar (beginning 586 BC)
In his youth, Nebuchadnezzar defeated Jerusalem and carried the city’s inhabitants into captivity. This was done in accordance with God’s will as punishment for the sins of Judah.
Daniel 1:1-2 -Nebuchadnezzar captures Jerusalem
Daniel 1:3-7 -Noble young Hebrews are gathered
Daniel 1:8-14 -Daniel and his friends refuse to eat the king’s delicacies
Daniel 1:15-16 -Daniel and his friends are in better condition than the others
Daniel 1:17-21 -Daniel and his friends are blessed and given high position

In the Days of Belshazzar (ending 539BC)
Daniel remained in captivity with the rest of Israel, continuing until the reign of Belshazzar, son of Nabonidus and grandson of Nebuchadnezzar. It was in Belshazzar’s reign that Babylon was defeated on the night of October 29, 539.
Daniel 5:1-4 -Belshazzar uses the temple vessels for a party
Daniel 5:5-9 -The writing on the wall
Daniel 5:10-12 -The queen remembers Daniel
Daniel 5:13-16 -Daniel asked for the interpretation
Daniel 5:17-29 -Daniel gives the interpretation and condemnation of Belshazzar
Daniel 5:30-31 -Babylon falls to the Medes and Persians

And in the Days of Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian (about 536BC)
After the Babylonian empire fell, the Medo-Persian empire (often also referred to as simply the Persian Empire) “inherited” the captive Hebrews. Daniel, as before, was granted high position into the reign of Cyrus.
Daniel 6:1-3 -Daniel given high position
Daniel 6:4-9 -Daniel is plotted against, Darius signs the law against prayer/petition to any but himself for 30 days
Daniel 6:10 -Daniel continues to pray
Daniel 6:11-13 -Daniel is reported to Darius
Daniel 6:14-17 -Darius orders Daniel to the lion’s den
Daniel 6:18-23 -Daniel is kept save from the lions
Daniel 6:24 -The conspirators are cast into the lion’s den
Daniel 6:25-27 -Darius issues a decree
Daniel 6:28 -Daniel prospered in the days of Darius and Cyrus
Ezra 1:1-4 -Cyrus ends the captivity