Daniel the author was a statesman in the court of heathen monarchs, and throughout his life he was uncompromising and faithful to his God.
He was taken captive as a youth to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 B.C. He spent the rest of his life there as a government official and as a prophet of the true God.
He was given a place of prominence and responsibility in Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom, was made one of three presidents under Darius (6:1), and lived until the third year of Cyrus.
In Ezekiel 14:14 and 20, he is classified with Noah and Job as being one of the godliest of men.
The basic message of the book deals with that period that our Lord called “the times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24).
It contains two principal divisions: history (chapters 1-6) and prophecy (chapters 7-12). The sections have been called the “Historic Night” and the “Prophetic Light."
Favorite stories in this book include those of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (chapter 3); and Daniel in the lions’ den (chapter 6).
It seems that Daniel died in the first year of King Cyrus, and he may have helped inspire the decision of Cyrus to have the temple rebuilt (II Chronicles 36:22).
The book is chiefly about the man Daniel and his message. Nothing finer could be recommended to the youth of today than a study of the life of Daniel.
Daniel’s background (chapter 1).
Daniel interprets others dreams (chapters 2-7).
An angel interprets Daniel’s dreams (chapters 8-12).