Daniel Chapter 4 Verses 36-37

36 At the same time my reason returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.

As promised, Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom was returned to him and he was returned to power.

In fact, he says that even more greatness was added to him.

Do you think that this is how he would have expressed his increased greatness before he learned a lesson about pride? That his greatness was added to him? Added by whom?

Again, the significant part of this account is that Nebuchadnezzar regained his kingdom. That proved to him and to all that his kingdom was not his because of his own power or genius. His kingdom was a gift from God – and at last he understood that. He finally knew the power of the God of the Hebrews.

This is the end of the story as far as Nebuchadnezzar is concerned. Before proceeding to Chapter 5, it will be helpful to briefly consider the history that occurred between the events in these two chapters.

Without any warning or explanation, the narrative leaps from the reign of Nebuchadnezzar to the very end (very last day!) of the Babylonian empire.

Note: It is clear that a large break occurs between these two chapters. Later we will see other similar large breaks that occur without warning – but they should not come as a surprise since we now know that such breaks occur in the book.

Nebuchadnezzar died in 563.

He was succeeded by his son Evil–Merodach (Amel-Marduk or man of Marduk), who released Jehoiachin from prison and gave him an honorable place in the court. (2 Kings 25:27–30)

(Perhaps when you name your son ‘Evil’ you have only yourself to blame when he turns out bad!)

Two years later, Amel-Marduk was assassinated by his brother-in-law, who died 4 years later. He was succeeded by his son, who was murdered 9 months later.

When the dust cleared, Nabonidus was on the throne. He apparently married a daughter of Nebuchadnezzar to legitimize his claim to the throne.

Belshazzar, who we meet in Chapter 5, was the son of Nabonidus.

The final year of the Chaldean empire was 539 BC. The ruler who takes charge of the empire is Cyrus. The ruler who takes charge of the city of Babylon is Darius.

Note: Neither Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, nor Darius attempted to destroy or severely persecute the Jewish people. Unlike Revelation, courage in the face of persecution is not the point of Daniel. Instead, Daniel is more concerned with how the people of God should live in an ungodly culture and in that sense it has a more important and relevant message for us than Revelation does!

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