Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Daniel
Book: Daniel
Chapter: 2
Overview:
Nebuchadnezzar's
Dream.
(1-13) It is revealed to
Daniel.
(14-23) He obtains admission to the
King.
(24-30) The
Dream and
the interpretation.
(31-45) Honours to
Daniel and his friends.
(46-49)
1-13 The greatest men are most open to cares and troubles of
mind, which disturb their repose in the night, while the sleep
of the labouring
Man is sweet and sound. We know not the
uneasiness of many who live in great pomp, and, as others vainly
think, in pleasure also. The
King said that his learned men must
tell him the
Dream itself, or they should all be
Put to
Death as
deceivers. Men are more eager to ask as to future events, than
to learn the way of
Salvation or the path of duty; yet
foreknowledge of future events increases anxiety and trouble.
Those who deceived,
By pretending to do what they could not do,
were sentenced to
Death, for not being able to do what they did
not pretend to.
14-23 Daniel humbly prayed that
God would discover to him the
King's
Dream, and the meaning of it. Praying friends are
valuable friends; and it
Well becomes the greatest and best men
to desire the prayers of others. Let us show that we value our
friends, and their prayers. They were particular in
Prayer. And
whatever we pray for, we can expect nothing but as the
Gift of
God's mercies.
God gives us leave in
Prayer to tell our wants
and burdens. Their plea with
God was, the peril they were in.
The
Mercy Daniel and his fellows prayed for, was bestowed. The
fervent prayers of righteous men avail much.
Daniel was thankful
to
God for making known that to him, which saved the lives of
himself and his fellows. How much more should we be thankful to
God, for making known the great
Salvation of the soul to those
who are not among the worldly
Wise and prudent!
24-30 Daniel takes away the
King's opinion of his
Magicians and
soothsayers. The insufficiency of creatures should drive us to
the all-sufficiency of the Creator. There is One who can do that
for us, and make known that to us, which none
On Earth can,
particularly the work of
Redemption, and the secret designs of
God's
Love to us therein.
Daniel confirmed the
King in his
opinion, that the
Dream was of great consequence, relating to
the affairs and changes of this lower world. Let those whom
God
has highly favoured and honoured, lay aside all opinion of their
own
Wisdom and worthiness, that the
Lord alone may be praised
for the good they have and do.
31-45 This image represented the kingdoms of the
Earth, that
should successively rule the nations, and influence the affairs
of the Jewish
Church. 1. The head of
Gold signified the Chaldean
empire, then in being. 2. The breast and arms of
Silver
signified the empire of the Medes and Persians. 3. The
Belly and
thighs of
Brass signified the Grecian empire, founded
By
Alexander. 4. The legs and feet of
Iron signified the Roman
empire. The Roman empire branched into ten kingdoms, as the toes
of these feet. Some were weak as
Clay, others strong as
Iron.
Endeavours have often been used to unite them, for strengthening
the empire, but in vain. The
Stone cut out without hands,
represented the kingdom of our
Lord Jesus Christ, which should
be set up in the kingdoms of the world, upon the ruins of
Satan's kingdom in them. This was the
Stone which the builders
refused, because it was not cut out
By their hands, but it is
become the head
Stone of the
Corner. Of the increase of
Christ's
government and peace there shall be
No End. The
Lord shall
reign, not only to the
End of time, but when time and days shall
be
No more. As far as events have gone, the fulfilling this
prophetic
Vision has been most exact and undeniable; future ages
shall
Witness this
Stone destroying the image, and filling the
whole
Earth.
46-49 It is our business to direct attention to the
Lord, as
the Author and Giver of every good
Gift. Many have thoughts of
the Divine power and majesty, who do not think of serving
God
themselves. But all should strive, that
God may be glorified,
and the best interests of mankind furthered.