The event of "Daniel Summoned" refers to the biblical account found in the Book of Daniel, specifically in Daniel chapter 5. This narrative unfolds during the reign of Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon, and highlights the divine intervention and prophetic insight provided through Daniel, a Hebrew prophet and statesman.

Context and Background

Belshazzar, the son of Nabonidus, was co-regent of Babylon and is depicted in the Bible as a ruler who did not honor the God of Israel. During a lavish feast, Belshazzar, in a display of arrogance and sacrilege, commanded that the gold and silver vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem be brought so that he and his nobles, wives, and concubines might drink from them. As they drank, they praised the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone (Daniel 5:1-4).

The Mysterious Writing

In the midst of the revelry, a mysterious and divine occurrence took place. The fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, near the lampstand. The king watched the hand as it wrote, and his countenance changed; he was terrified, and his knees knocked together (Daniel 5:5-6).

The King's Dilemma

Greatly troubled by the writing, Belshazzar called for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to interpret the message. He promised that whoever could read the writing and explain its meaning would be clothed in purple, have a gold chain placed around his neck, and be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom. However, none of the king's wise men could interpret the writing (Daniel 5:7-8).

Daniel's Summoning

The queen, hearing the commotion, entered the banquet hall and reminded Belshazzar of Daniel, a man in whom was found the spirit of the holy gods during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar. She recounted how Daniel had been appointed chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners because of his exceptional ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems (Daniel 5:10-12).

At the queen's suggestion, Daniel was summoned before the king. Belshazzar offered Daniel the same rewards he had promised the wise men if he could interpret the writing. Daniel, however, declined the gifts, choosing instead to deliver the message from God without personal gain (Daniel 5:13-17).

The Interpretation

Daniel began by reminding Belshazzar of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling experience and how he had eventually acknowledged the sovereignty of the Most High God. He then rebuked Belshazzar for not humbling his heart, despite knowing all this, and for exalting himself against the Lord of heaven by using the temple vessels for idolatrous purposes (Daniel 5:18-23).

Daniel proceeded to interpret the writing on the wall: "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN." He explained that "MENE" meant that God had numbered the days of Belshazzar's reign and brought it to an end. "TEKEL" indicated that Belshazzar had been weighed on the scales and found wanting. "PARSIN" (or "PERES") signified that the kingdom would be divided and given to the Medes and Persians (Daniel 5:24-28).

The Fulfillment

True to the interpretation, that very night, Belshazzar was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom (Daniel 5:30-31). This event marked the end of the Babylonian Empire and the beginning of the Medo-Persian rule, fulfilling the prophetic word delivered through Daniel.

The account of Daniel being summoned serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over the affairs of nations and His ability to raise and depose kings according to His divine will. It also underscores the importance of humility and reverence for God, as exemplified by Daniel's unwavering faith and integrity.