(1) Chapter one sets the stage chronologically from the “third
year of the reign of Jehoiakim” (v. 1) to the “first year of King Cyrus” (v. 21),
that is, from 605 to 539 B.C.
(2) Chapter
one sets the stage historically in the narrator’s note that the Lord delivered
Jehoiakim king of Judah
into Nebuchadnezzar’s hand (v. 2).
(3) Chapter one sets the stage theologically. In noting that
the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into Nebuchadnezzar’s hand, we
see an important theological element of the book, namely, that all the empires
of the world are under the sovereign control of God. This sovereignty is not
only at the national level, but it is at the personal level as well. This is
evidenced in God influencing the royal official to show favor and sympathy to
Daniel (1:9).
(4) Chapter one sets the stage literarily. This can be seen
in several ways. In this chapter we are introduced to most of the main
characters in the book. We also note the piety of Daniel and his friends, a
quality that will be on display throughout the book. It is frequently noted
that Daniel is one of the few characters in Scripture for which nothing negative
is recorded. The reference to “the articles from the temple of God”
(v. 2) foreshadows the events of Daniel 5. The narrator’s comment that God gave
Daniel understanding of “visions and dreams of all kinds” (v. 17) is
preparatory for Daniel’s interpretations and reception of dreams and visions
through the book.
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