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Daniel
Belshazzar
1. Belshazzar was a king of Babylon who is mentioned in the book of Daniel in the Old Testament. He is introduced in chapter 5 of Daniel, where he is described as the son of King Nabonidus and the grandson of King Nebuchadnezzar.
2. The story of Belshazzar in Daniel begins with him hosting a great feast for his nobles, wives, and concubines, during which he orders that the gold and silver vessels that had been taken from the temple in Jerusalem be brought out so that they could drink from them. This act of sacrilege was a direct offense against God, as these vessels were holy and had been dedicated to God's service.
3. As Belshazzar and his guests drank from the vessels, a hand appeared and wrote on the wall in front of them. The king was greatly troubled and called for his wise men to interpret the writing, but none of them were able to do so. Finally, Daniel was called, and he interpreted the writing as a warning from God that Belshazzar's kingdom would be taken away from him and given to the Medes and Persians.
4. That very night, the prophecy was fulfilled, as the Medes and Persians invaded Babylon and killed Belshazzar. The kingdom was then divided between the Medes and Persians, bringing an end to the Babylonian empire.
5. The story of Belshazzar in Daniel serves as a warning against pride and arrogance, as Belshazzar's actions were motivated by his pride and disregard for God's commands. It also demonstrates God's sovereignty and power over earthly kingdoms, as He was able to bring about the downfall of Babylon and the rise of the Medes and Persians.
