Daniel 9:1
In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes, a Mede by descent, who was made ruler over the kingdom of the Chaldeans--
In the first year
This phrase sets the historical context for the events that follow. The "first year" indicates a specific point in time, marking the beginning of Darius's reign. Historically, this period is significant as it follows the fall of Babylon to the Medo-Persian Empire. The phrase underscores the transition of power and the fulfillment of God's prophecy regarding the fall of Babylon, as seen in Isaiah 13:17-19. It is a reminder of God's sovereignty over the nations and His control over the course of history.

of Darius
The identity of Darius has been a subject of scholarly debate. In the context of Daniel, Darius is often identified with Gubaru, a governor under Cyrus the Great, or possibly another figure who ruled Babylon on behalf of the Persians. The name "Darius" itself means "holder of the scepter" or "maintainer," which is fitting for a ruler. This highlights the theme of divine appointment and governance, as God raises leaders according to His purposes.

son of Xerxes
The mention of "Xerxes" here is intriguing, as it connects Darius to a lineage of rulers. Xerxes, known in history as a powerful Persian king, is often associated with the Achaemenid dynasty. This connection emphasizes the continuity of God's plan through different empires and rulers. It also serves as a reminder of the historical accuracy and depth of the biblical narrative, as it aligns with known historical figures and events.

(a Mede by descent)
This phrase highlights Darius's ethnic background, identifying him as a Mede. The Medes were an ancient Iranian people who, along with the Persians, played a crucial role in the overthrow of the Babylonian Empire. This detail fulfills the prophecy in Daniel 5:28, where the kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians. It underscores the precision of God's prophetic word and His orchestration of world events to accomplish His divine purposes.

who was made ruler
The passive construction "was made ruler" suggests divine intervention and appointment. It implies that Darius's rise to power was not merely a result of human ambition or political maneuvering but was orchestrated by God. This aligns with the biblical theme that all authority is established by God (Romans 13:1). It serves as a reminder to believers that God is ultimately in control, even over the rulers of nations.

over the kingdom of the Chaldeans
The "kingdom of the Chaldeans" refers to the Babylonian Empire, known for its wealth, power, and influence. The Chaldeans were a Semitic people who rose to prominence in Babylon. The mention of this kingdom highlights the dramatic shift in power from the Babylonians to the Medo-Persians, fulfilling the prophecy of Daniel 2:39. It serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in bringing about His plans and the transient nature of earthly kingdoms in contrast to God's eternal kingdom.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Darius the Mede
Darius is identified as the son of Xerxes and a Mede by descent. He was made ruler over the kingdom of the Chaldeans, which refers to the Babylonian Empire. His role is significant as it marks a transition in leadership and the fulfillment of God's plan for Israel's return from exile.

2. The Kingdom of the Chaldeans
This refers to the Babylonian Empire, which had been a dominant power in the ancient Near East. The transition of power to Darius signifies a shift in God's dealings with His people, as prophesied by Jeremiah.

3. The First Year of Darius
This time marker is crucial as it sets the stage for Daniel's prayer and the subsequent revelation he receives. It indicates a period of change and the beginning of the fulfillment of prophetic timelines.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
The transition of power to Darius illustrates God's control over world events. Believers can trust that God is sovereign over the affairs of nations and leaders.

The Importance of Prophetic Fulfillment
Understanding the historical context of Daniel 9:1 helps us see the accuracy and reliability of biblical prophecy. This encourages believers to study and trust God's Word.

Prayer and Prophecy
Daniel's response to the change in leadership was to seek God in prayer, demonstrating the importance of prayer in understanding and participating in God's plans.

Faithfulness in Exile
Despite being in exile, Daniel remained faithful to God. His example encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, regardless of their circumstances.

Hope in God's Promises
The shift in power to Darius was a sign of hope for the Israelites. Believers today can find hope in God's promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the transition of power to Darius the Mede demonstrate God's sovereignty over nations, and how can this understanding impact our view of current world events?

2. In what ways does the fulfillment of prophecy in Daniel 9:1 encourage us to trust in the reliability of Scripture?

3. How can Daniel's response to the change in leadership inspire us to prioritize prayer in our own lives, especially during times of uncertainty?

4. What lessons can we learn from Daniel's faithfulness in exile that can be applied to our own spiritual journey?

5. How does the hope of God's promises, as seen in the transition to Darius' rule, provide encouragement for believers facing difficult circumstances today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Jeremiah 25 and 29
These chapters contain prophecies about the 70-year exile of Israel in Babylon, which Daniel references in his prayer later in chapter 9. The transition to Darius' rule is a sign of the nearing end of this period.

Isaiah 44-45
These chapters prophesy about Cyrus, who would allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem. Darius' rule is part of the larger account of God's sovereignty over nations and His faithfulness to His promises.

Ezra 1
This passage describes the decree of Cyrus, which allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Darius' rule is a precursor to these events.
The Omnipotence of PrayerJ.D. Davies Daniel 9:1-19
The Nation's Advocate At God's BarH.T. Robjohns Daniel 9:1-21
People
Ahasuerus, Daniel, Darius, Gabriel, Jeremiah, Nahum
Places
Egypt, Greece, Jerusalem
Topics
Ahasuerus, Ahasu-e'rus, Babylonian, Birth, Chaldaeans, Chaldeans, Chalde'ans, Chaldeans-, Darius, Descent, Kingdom, Mede, Medes, Median, Realm, Ruler, Seed, Xerxes
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Daniel 9:1

     5509   rulers

Daniel 9:1-6

     8431   fasting, reasons

Daniel 9:1-19

     8611   prayer, for others
     8618   prayerfulness

Daniel 9:1-23

     4926   delay, human
     5345   influence

Library
Daniel: a Pattern for Pleaders
"O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God; for thy city and thy people are called by thy name."--Daniel 9:19. DANIEL was a man in very high position in life. It is true he was not living in his own native land, but, in the providence of God, he had been raised to great eminence under the dominion of the country in which he dwelt. He might, therefore, naturally have forgotten his poor kinsmen; many have done so. Alas! we have known some that have
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 61: 1915

The Man and the Book.
In this and the following lectures I attempt an account and estimate of the Prophet Jeremiah, of his life and teaching, and of the Book which contains them--but especially of the man himself, his personality and his tempers (there were more than one), his religious experience and its achievements, with the various high styles of their expression; as well as his influence on the subsequent religion of his people. It has often been asserted that in Jeremiah's ministry more than in any other of the
George Adam Smith—Jeremiah

Whether the Time of the Future Judgment is Unknown?
Objection 1: It would seem that the time of the future judgment is not unknown. For just as the holy Fathers looked forward to the first coming, so do we look forward to the second. But the holy Fathers knew the time of the first coming, as proved by the number of weeks mentioned in Daniel 9: wherefore the Jews are reproached for not knowing the time of Christ's coming (Lk. 12:56): "You hypocrites, you know how to discern the face of the heaven and of the earth, but how is it that you do not discern
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

That Whereas the City of Jerusalem had Been Five Times Taken Formerly, this was the Second Time of Its Desolation. A Brief Account of Its History.
1. And thus was Jerusalem taken, in the second year of the reign of Vespasian, on the eighth day of the month Gorpeius [Elul]. It had been taken five [34] times before, though this was the second time of its desolation; for Shishak, the king of Egypt, and after him Antiochus, and after him Pompey, and after them Sosius and Herod, took the city, but still preserved it; but before all these, the king of Babylon conquered it, and made it desolate, one thousand four hundred and sixty-eight years and
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem

From the Supplement to the Summa --Question Lxxii of the Prayers of the Saints who are in Heaven
I. Are the Saints cognizant of our Prayers? II. Ought we to appeal to the Saints to intercede for us? III. Are the Saints' Prayers to God for us always heard? I Are the Saints cognizant of our Prayers? On those words of Job,[267] Whether his children come to honour or dishonour, he shall not understand, S. Gregory says: "This is not to be understood of the souls of the Saints, for they see from within the glory of Almighty God, it is in nowise credible that there should be anything without of
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

The Blessing of God.
NUMB. VI. 22-27. We have already seen the grace of GOD making provision that His people, who had lost the privilege of priestly service, might draw near to Him by Nazarite separation and consecration. And not as the offence was the free gift: those who had forfeited the privilege of priestly service were the males only, but women and even children might be Nazarites; whosoever desired was free to come, and thus draw near to GOD. We now come to the concluding verses of Numb. vi, and see in them one
James Hudson Taylor—Separation and Service

Three Things Briefly to be Regarded in Christ --viz. His Offices of Prophet, King, and Priest.
1. Among heretics and false Christians, Christ is found in name only; but by those who are truly and effectually called of God, he is acknowledged as a Prophet, King, and Priest. In regard to the Prophetical Office, the Redeemer of the Church is the same from whom believers under the Law hoped for the full light of understanding. 2. The unction of Christ, though it has respect chiefly to the Kingly Office, refers also to the Prophetical and Priestly Offices. The dignity, necessity, and use of this
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

General Account of Jesus' Teaching.
^A Matt. IV. 17; ^B Mark I. 14, 15; ^C Luke IV. 14, 15. ^a 17 From that time Jesus began to preach [The time here indicated is that of John the Baptist's imprisonment and Jesus' return to Galilee. This time marked a new period in the public ministry of Jesus. Hitherto he had taught, but he now began to preach. When the voice of his messenger, John, was silenced, the King became his own herald. Paul quoted the Greeks as saying that preaching was "foolishness," but following the example here set by
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober Reason,
appears of itself highly credible and probable, and abundantly recommends itself in its native simplicity, merely by its own intrinsic goodness and excellency, to the practice of the most rational and considering men, who are desirous in all their actions to have satisfaction and comfort and good hope within themselves, from the conscience of what they do: So it is moreover positively and directly proved to be actually and immediately sent to us from God, by the many infallible signs and miracles
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God

Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
1. The Traditional Law. - The brief account given in vol. i. p. 100, of the character and authority claimed for the traditional law may here be supplemented by a chronological arrangement of the Halakhoth in the order of their supposed introduction or promulgation. In the first class, or Halakhoth of Moses from Sinai,' tradition enumerates fifty-five, [6370] which may be thus designated: religio-agrarian, four; [6371] ritual, including questions about clean and unclean,' twenty-three; [6372] concerning
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible Bespeak the Omniscience of Its Author
In Isaiah 41:21-23 we have what is probably the most remarkable challenge to be found in the Bible. "Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Let them bring them forth, and show us what shall happen; let them show the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods." This Scripture has both a negative
Arthur W. Pink—The Divine Inspiration of the Bible

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Sin-Bearer.
A COMMUNION MEDITATION AT MENTONE. "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."--1 Peter ii. 24, 25. THE SIN-BEARER. THIS wonderful passage is a part of Peter's address to servants; and in his day nearly all servants were slaves. Peter begins at the eighteenth verse: "Servants, be subject
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
(at Feast-Time at Jerusalem, Probably the Passover.) ^D John V. 1-47. ^d 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [Though every feast in the Jewish calendar has found some one to advocate its claim to be this unnamed feast, yet the vast majority of commentators choose either the feast of Purim, which came in March, or the Passover, which came in April. Older commentators pretty unanimously regarded it as the Passover, while the later school favor the feast
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Being of God
Q-III: WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES PRINCIPALLY TEACH? A: The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. Q-IV: WHAT IS GOD? A: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. Here is, 1: Something implied. That there is a God. 2: Expressed. That he is a Spirit. 3: What kind of Spirit? I. Implied. That there is a God. The question, What is God? takes for granted that there
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Manifestation of the Messiah
(JOHN I. 31.) "Before me, as in darkening glass, Some glorious outlines pass, Of love, and truth, and holiness, and power-- I own them thine, O Christ, And bless Thee in this hour." F. R. HAVERGAL. The Herald's Proclamation--The Meeting of John and Jesus--Christ's Baptism--"It Becometh Us."--"My Beloved Son." John's life, at this period, was an extraordinary one. By day he preached to the teeming crowds, or baptized them; by night he would sleep in some slight booth, or darksome cave. But the
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

The Intercession of Christ
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us! T he Redemption of the soul is precious. Fools make mock of sin (Proverbs 14:9) . But they will not think lightly of it, who duly consider the majesty, authority, and goodness of Him, against whom it is committed; and who are taught, by what God actually has done, what sin rendered necessary to be done, before a sinner could have a well-grounded
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold.
^A Matt. XXIV. 1-28; ^B Mark XIII. 1-23; ^C Luke XXI. 5-24. ^a 1 And Jesus went out from the temple [leaving it to return no more], and was going on his way; and his disciples came to him ^b as he went forth ^a to show him the buildings of the temple. ^b one of his disciples saith unto him, Teacher, behold, what manner of stones and what manner of buildings! ^c 5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and offerings, he said [The strength and wealth of the temple roused
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Christ's Priestly Office
Q-35: HOW DOES CHRIST EXECUTE THE OFFICE OF A PRIEST? A: In his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us. 'Now once in the end of the world has he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.' Heb 9:96. What are the parts of Christ's priestly office? Christ's priestly office has two parts - his satisfaction and intercession. I. His Satisfaction; and this consists of two branches. [1] His active
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Scriptures
Q-II: WHAT RULE HAS GOD GIVEN TO DIRECT US HOW WE MAY GLORIFY AND ENJOY HIM? A: The Word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. 2 Tim 3:16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,' By Scripture is understood the sacred Book of God. It is given by divine inspiration; that is, the Scripture is not the contrivance of man's brain, but is divine in its origin. The image of Diana was had in veneration
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

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