Daniel 2

Daniel 2:1

THe second] Nebuchadnezzar carried away Jehoiachim in the third yeere of his raigne, Daniel 1:1. and afterwards those young Jewes were brought up for the space of three yeeres, Daniel 1:5. and therefore this second yeere cannot be taken from the time that he came to the crowne. But it is likely, that after he had subdued the King of Egypt, his greatest emulator, and had by that meanes established his Monarchie, he did then begin a new computation of the yeeres of his raigne.

Daniel 2:2

Chaldeans] that is to say, South-sayers, that Nation, being more given to those arts and studies then any othor.

Daniel 2:4

Live so] A wish of affection, and naturall and civill honour; which was used amongst Gods people also, 1 King. 1 31 Neh 2:3. Dan. 3. 9. and 5. 10. and 6. 6, 21.

Daniel 2:9

But one] My sentence shall stand, and bee put in execution. See Esther 4:11 For yee have] I know, because you cannot put mee in minde of my dreame; you did prepare your selves to tell mee a Iie: fitting it to the present times, and which might be wrested to all kind of events: you can tell future things, which never had no being; yee might farre more easiely know things that are past.

Daniel 2:11

Whos] Who have no ordinary conversation nor communication with men: whose soules harbour in their bodies, and are fastned to their senses; which maketh that divine light which they have to be so little, and altogether depending upon Gods good will and pleasure.

Daniel 2:13

Went forth] When the King had pronounced it, and caused it to be proclaimed The wisemen] namely Those that were present there; or they were all to be slaine.

Daniel 2:14

Captaine of the Kingsguard] As Genesis 37:36.

Daniel 2:16

Time] Not to study, or meditate by discourse of reason, or by the helpe of bookes; or by rules of art, or to deliberate: but to call upon the Lord with servencie and perseverance.

Daniel 2:21

Changeth] This seems to have a singular relation to the revolution of States and Empires, and to the changes of the affaires of the world, which was the subject of the Kings dreame Giveth wisdme] This hath a relation to the gift which Daniel had received.

Daniel 2:23

And might] that is to say, Valour and Magnanimity in mine Actions, and wisdome and advice in the understanding of businesses.

Daniel 2:28

In the lter] In the time to come, untill the Messias. See Ezekiel 38:8.

Daniel 2:30

But for their] the glory of this revelation belongeth wholly to God: who would fulfill thy desire, which was to know things that were to come: And therefore I, who am his Minister, ougin not to curre thy displeasure for thse things which I shall tell thee seeing thou hast desired to know them, and God hath commanded me to reveale them to thee.

Daniel 2:38

Thou art] he meanes not only the person of Nebuchadnezzar, but his Empire; called head, because it was the first of those foure Monarchies: and of gold; by reason of the glory and magnificence of it, in all manner of greatnesse. See Isa. 13. 19. and 14. 11. Dan. 7 4.

Daniel 2:39

Another] namely, the Persians and Medes, figured by the breast and armes of silver, v. 32. by reason of the conjunction of these two Nations into one Empire: which was also rich, and sumptuous, but not equall to the Babylonian Empire, Dan. 7. 5. and 8. 3. and 11, 12 Third] that of Alexander the Great, represented by the belly and thighes of brasse, v. 32. because all that Empire did nothing but devoure by force of Armes: which in those dayes, were made of tempered brasse, Dan. 7. 6. and 8. 5. and 11. 3 Over all] namely, upon a very great part of it: so that he shall obtaine one of the greatest Empires of the world; which by popular custome were called universall. See Ezra 1:2. Daniel 8:5. Luke 2:1.

Daniel 2:40

The fourth] signified by the two legs and feet of yron, mingled with clay. By many it is understood for the Roman Empire, and also the Antichristian Empire, to which indeed that which is here spoken, and Daniel 7:7. may be referred by anology; and it may be the Holy-Ghost had a relation to it, as in the Revelation. But in the first and proper sense, he seemes to meane the successors of Alexander the Great: who raigned in Syria, and in Aegypt, who did oppresse the Church more cruelly then any of the rest; for they went so farre, as to force the consciences of men. See Dan. 7. 7, 8. and 8, 9, 10, 24. and 11. 4, 5, 31. and this kingdome is termed to be of yron, which is but a base mettall, but very hard: divided into two, and of a very variable condition: sometimes mighty and powerfull; and sometimes also very weake: qualities which agree very well with these two kingdomes, by reason of their beginnings, acts and occurrences All these things] namely, the fore-said mettals Bruise] namely, wheresoever it shall exercise its tyranny, as it did upon Gods people. See Dan. 7. 7, 25. and 8. 11. and 11. 31, 36, 41, 44.

Daniel 2:41

Divided] unto Seleucides, who held Syria, and Lagides, who raigned in Aegypt, called Kings of the North, and of the South, Daniel 11:5-6.

Daniel 2:42

Partly] he hath a relation to the variable estate of these two kingdomes, oftentimes, high, and powerfull, and sometimes also beaten down: first by one another, afterwards by the Maccabies, and finally by the Romans.

Daniel 2:43

Shall mingle themselves] contracting frequent marriages amongst themselves, Daniel 11:6; Daniel 11:17. 1 Mac. 10. 51. and 11. 9. by which notwithstanding they shall never be able to knit a loyall and constant union betwixt them.

Daniel 2:44

In the dayes] namely, towards the latter end of these kingdomes of Aegypt and Syria A Kingdome] the spirituall and heavenly kingdome of the Messias, manifested in the flesh, Daniel 7:13-14; Daniel 7:27 It shall] because that the Sonne of God, supreme King of the world, hath at all times been He, that hath destroyed all the powers and Empires that have been contrary to his, Psal. 2. 9. Isaiah 60:2. Zechariah 11:8. 2 Corinthians 10:5-6. And having made an end of subverting those foure Monarchies, with the ruine of those two last kingdomes of Syria, and of Aegypt; hath established his owne kingdome in the world, though it be amongst great enemies.

Daniel 2:45

The stone] by these termes may be understood the eternall origine of the Sonne of God: the Scripture calling the hils everlasting hils: But by them is especially meant, the firme establishment of his kingdome, by the only power of God, without humane strength or art: which shall also out of exceeding small beginnings increase to an infinite, v. 35. Matthew 13:31.Sure] the Italian, is faithfull] not fained, nor made as one pleased; as the King had told his Soothsayers, v. 9.

Daniel 2:46

Worshipped] he was about to doe it, but by the following verse it appeares that Daniel forbade him, and turned him towards God.

Daniel 2:49

Over the] namely, over the treasure, revenewes, and rites, &c Sate] the Italian, stood] did not stirre from the King, being as it were chief steward of the Palace, and chiefe officer of the Empire.