"THE BOOK OF DANIEL"

Chapter Five

This chapter fast forwards to 539 B.C. and the last night of Babylonian rule. King Belshazzar (grandson of Nebuchadnezzar) throws a drunken, idolatrous feast that is interrupted by a hand writing on the wall (1-12). Daniel is brought in, and explains that it proclaims the judgment of Belshazzar and the fall of Babylon into the hands of the Medes and Persians (13-29) which occurs that very night (30-31).

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  1. What are the main points of this chapter?
    • Belshazzar's feast and the writing on the wall Dan 5:1-12
    • Daniel explains the writing on the wall Dan 5:13-29
    • Belshazzar's fall Dan 5:30-31
  2. What is the setting leading to the hand writing on the wall? (1-4)
    • A drunken, idolatrous feast using gold vessels from the house of God in Jerusalem
  3. What reaction did the king have to the hand writing on the wall? (6)
    • Countenance changed, troubled thoughts, hip joints loosened, knees knocking
  4. Who was unable to tell the king the interpretation of the writing? (7-8)
    • His wise men (astrologers, Chaldeans, soothsayers)
  5. Who counseled the king to call for Daniel to interpret the writing? (10-12)
    • The queen (likely the queen mother, daughter of Nebuchadnezzar)
  6. Before interpreting the writing, what did Daniel tell King Belshazzar? (17-24)
    • The king could keep his reward (gifts) for himself
    • He had not learned from what happened to King Nebuchadnezzar
    • He had failed to humble himself before God, and did not glorify Him
  7. What was the inscription written on the wall, and the interpretation? (24-28)
    • Mene (to number): God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it
    • Tekel (to weigh): You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting
    • Upharsin (to divide): Your kingdom has been divided, given to the Medes and Persians
  8. What happened that very night? (30-31)
    • King Belshazzar was slain
    • Darius the Mede received the kingdom