The Pulpit Commentary — Daniel — Section 72

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ven,. 1-4.-..4.dministration serving and served. "And the king spake unto Asbpenaz the master of his eunuchs,'' etc. The introduction should perhaps clear up the chronology of ver. 1; give succinctly the history of the deportation to Babylon (this is gi,•en concisely by Keil, p. 70, references always to English edition); and describe the temple of Bel, in which the treasures were deposited (see Rawlinson's 'Anc. Mon.,' iii. 343). After this, two topics demand attention. - L THE .Alli OF GOVERNMENT. Nebuchadnezzar had an eye for intellectual wealth as well as material. '!'here might be stores of capacity in his train of captives. 'l'hese were to be brought out, developed for the public service. Herein a ksson as to the aim of govemmeot, not merely political, but of ad.ministration in general, whether in the famug, tbe Church, or the fiation. 1. To utilize all talents; e.g. those of the four. 2. To develop spirit'/1,(J,l gi,fts. " Whatever would help to lay open the future or to disclose the secrets of the invisible would have become precious in Babylonian esteem. It became known far and wide that Divine communications, in the form of prophecy, had been vouchsafed to the Hebrew nation. Dwellers in Babylon might imagine that inspiration and prophecy were permanent endowments of this favoured people. To utilize these. endowments might have been one object with the king." 3. To conciliate SWJjects. Government of any sort is of little value without the moral element, which consists mainly of love. An administration that is only feared is of little power and less use. The elevation of the few would conciliate the Hebrew many. 4. To maintain intercour,e; e.g. through the few with the many. II. THE CONDITIONS OF SERVICE. Nebnchadnezzar pointed out what would be requisite in these candidates for court service. They are for the most part the con- ditions of all ministration to the public weal, of effective ministry (not using the word in an offici3l 81lnse) in the Church of God. Here it may be desirable to distinguish between a mc.n's being simply a Christian-a believer in the Lord Jesus-and being consecrated as one of the Lord's servants. 1. Conditions intellectual. (1) .Jibilily. "Such as had ability," etc. (2) Knowledge. (a) Some knowledge to begin with. " Cunning in knowledge." (b) Capacity generally. "Understanding science." (c) Spec:al aptitude, i.e., for Chaldee science; i.e. the science of the magi. "Skilful in all wi~dom" (see the original of first part of ver. 4). (3) Docility. 2. Condition, physuxil. "No blemish, but well favoured." The king, no doubt, desired comelineBS of person. We have here to do with it only on its ethical side, as exp~e?sing character, and so beiaa a pgssport to the confidence of men. 3. Moral and spiritual. Not nan:.ed by the king; but must be mentioned, illustrated, and enforced here. For these, bet the career of the four, but e8pecially that of Daniel,-R, OH, I. 1-21.] THE BOOK OF DANIEL. 31