Daniel 3

Daniel 3:1

MAde an image] Under pretence of religion and holinesse in making an image to his idol Bel, he sought his own ambition and vain-glory: Pagan stories have many examples of the like Colosses dedicated to idols.

of gold] It is likely that it was gold without, and hollow within.

six cubits] Through the traverse of (that is to say, over-crosse) the body, as it is likely: also besides, there being no proportion between six cubits of breadth, and sixty of height, it is fit to be presupposed that under sixtie is comprehended some great pedestall, upon which the statue stood.

Dura] A citie of Mesopotamia, mentioned in Authours.

Daniel 3:2

gather together the princes] He calleth all sorts: his earnestnesse in superstition should teach godly Princes to be forward in setting up true religion and promoting it.

to the dedication] Shewing that the idol is not known for an idol so long as it is with the workman: but when the ceremonies and rites are recited and used, and the consent of the people is there, then of a block they think they have made a God.

the king had set up] This was sufficient with the wicked at all times to approve their religion, if the Kings authoritie were alleadged for the establishment thereof, not considering in the meane season what Gods word did permit.

Daniel 3:4

aloud] Chald. with might.

it is commanded] Chald. they command.

nations, and languages] These are the two dangerous weapons wherewith Satan useth to fight against the children of God, the consent of the multitude, and the crueltie of the punishment; for though some feared God, yet the multitude which consent to the wickednesse, astonisheth them: and here the King required but an outward gesture, that the Jewes might by little and little learne to forget their true religion.

Daniel 3:5

dulcimer] Or, singing. Chald. symphonie.

Daniel 3:7

at that time] There can be nothing so wickedly commanded but multitudes will be ready to obey it.

Daniel 3:8

accused the Jewes] Chald. did eate accusations. They accused for their bellies sake; as many come to great mens tables to tell tales for good cheare. Or simply, accused: according to the manner of speech.

Daniel 3:9

live for ever] An ordinary compellation of Kings, Daniel 2:4. which these used here flatteringly.

Daniel 3:12

certain Jews] Seeing onely the captived with Daniel are accused, we may know that this was afore Jeconias captivitie, some yeer or two, about Nebuchadnezzars seventh yeere.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego] It seemed that they named not Daniel, because he was great in the Kings favour, thinking if these three had been destroyed, they might have had better occasion to accuse Daniel: and this declareth that the policy in erecting this Image was invented by the malicious flatterers which sought nothing but the destruction of the Jews, whom they accused of rebellion and ingratitude.

have not regarded thee] Chald. have set no regard upon thee.

Daniel 3:14

true] Or, of purpose, as Exodus 21:13.

Daniel 3:15

Now if ye be ready] Signifying that he would receive them to grace, if they would now at length obey his Decree.

image which I have made] That which before he called his God, now he calleth an image: how foolish are many to think they can make a God?

but if ye worship not] The unperfect speech argueth his heat.

who is that God that shall deliver you] A proud speech, against God, as Exodus 5:2.

Daniel 3:16

not carefull] For they should have done injury to God, if they should have doubted in this holy Cause, and therefore they say, they are resolved to die for Gods Cause; and when men have God on their side, they are not troubled to answer before great men. See Matthew 10:19. Mar. 13. 11.

Daniel 3:17

is able] They ground on two points; first, on the power and providence of God over them; and secondly, on their Cause, which was Gods glory, and the testifying of his true religion with their bloud; and so make open confession, that they will not so much as outwardly consent to idolatrie.

Daniel 3:18

we will not serve thy gods] The servants of God will run through any danger rather then sin against God.

Daniel 3:19

full] Chal. filled.

seven times] Idolaters are cruell when they are crossed, and the more that Tyrants rage, and the more witty they shew themselves in inventing strange and cruell punishments, the more is God glorified by his servants, to whom he giveth patience and constancy to abide the crueltie of their punishment; for either he delivereth them from death, or else for this life giveth them a better.

Daniel 3:20

most mighty] Chald, mighty of strength.

Daniel 3:21

coats] Or, mantles.

hats] Or, turbants.

Daniel 3:22

commandment] Chald. word.

flame] Or, spark.

slew those men] It is not good to be instruments of great mens cruelties, for such sometimes fare worse then either principall authors, or sufferers.

Daniel 3:24

counsellers] Or, governours.

Daniel 3:25

they have no hurt] Chald. there is no hurt in them. Esa. 43. 2.

is like the sonne of God] Or, like a son of the gods; or, like some young god: but the doubtfull words in the heathens speech have been well taken of the ancient, as they best might mean, and understood of Christ, who is with his servants in their extremities.

Daniel 3:26

mouth] Chald. door.

ye servants of the most high God] God doth sometimes miraculously force great men to honour his servants.

come forth] This commendeth their obedience unto God, that they would not for any fear depart out of this Furnace, till the time appointed, as Noah remained in the Ark till the Lord called him forth.

Daniel 3:27

upon whose bodies] The least hurt cannot come to those whom God will preserve. Isaiah 43:2. Matthew 10:30.

Daniel 3:28

Blessed be the God of Shadrach] He was moved by the greatnesse of the miracle to praise God, but his heart was not yet throughly touched. And here we see that miracles are not sufficient to convert men to God, but that doctrine must chiefly be adjoyned, without the which there can be no faith.

Daniel 3:29

I make a decree] Chald. a decree is made by me. Yet wicked Jehoiakim would not cease to deal amisse in Judah, untill he was buried as an Asse, and had his carkasse made as dung, being cast away unburied. Jeremiah 22:26. and Jeremiah 36:30.

speak] If this heathen King, moved by Gods Spirit, would not suffer reproachfull speeches against God unpunished, but made a law and set a penaltie for such transgressours, much more ought all they that professe religion, to take order that such impietie reign not, lest according as their knowledge and charge is greater, so they suffer double punishment.

any thing amisse] Chald. errour.

cut in pieces] Chald. made pieces. Chap. 2. 5.

Daniel 3:30

promoted] Chald. made to prosper. That is, restored them to their honours, and forbade all any more to wrong them.