The God of heaven - Not given by thy own gods, nor acquired by thy own skill and prowess; it is a Divine gift. Power - To rule this kingdom. And strength - To defend it against all foes. And glory - Great honor and dignity. read more
Thou art this head of gold - See on Daniel 2:31-34 ; (note), and at the end. read more
A kingdom which shall never be destroyed - The extensive and extending empire of Christ. Shall not be left to other people - All the preceding empires have swallowed up each other successively; but this shall remain to the end of the world. read more
The dream is certain - It contains a just representation of things as they shall be. And the interpretation thereof sure - The parts of the dream being truly explained. A Discourse on Nebuchadnezzar's Dream Daniel 2:41-45 ; I shall now consider this most important vision more at large, and connect it with a portion of the previous history of the Jewish people. The kingdoms of Israel and Judah after a series of the most unparalleled ingratitude and rebellion, against displays of... read more
Verse 38 Daniel here declares “ the golden head of the image “ to be the Babylonian kingdom. We know that the Assyrians were subdued before the monarchy was transferred to Babylon; but since they did not prevail sufficiently to be considered as supreme rulers in that eastern territory, the Babylonian empire is here mentioned first. It is also worthwhile to remark, that God was unwilling to refer here to what had already occurred, but he rather proposed that the people should in future depend on... read more
Verse 39 In this verse Daniel embraces the Second and Third Monarchies. He says the second should be inferior to the Chaldean in neither power nor wealth; for the Chaldean empire, although it spread so far and so wide, was added to that of the Medes and Persians. Cyrus subdued the Medes first; and although he made his father-in-law, Cyaxares, his ally in the sovereignty, yet he had expelled his maternal grandfather, and thus obtained peaceable possession of the kingdom throughout all Media.... read more
Verse 40 Here the Fourth Empire is described, which agrees only with the Roman, for we know that the four successors of Alexander were at length subdued. Philip was the first king of Macedon, and Antiochus the second; but yet Philip lost nothing from his own kingdom; he only yielded it to the free cities of Greece. It was, therefore, hitherto, entire, except as it paid tribute to the Romans for some years on account of the expenses of the war. Antiochus, also, when compelled to adopt the... read more
Verse 44 The Jews agree with us in thinking this passage cannot be otherwise understood than of the perpetual reign of Christ, and willingly and eagerly ascribe to the glory of their own nation whatever is written everywhere throughout the Scriptures; nay, they often cry down many testimonies of Scripture for the purpose of boasting in their own privileges. They do not therefore deny the dream to have been sent to King Nebuchadnezzar concerning Christ’s kingdom; but they differ from us, in... read more
EXPOSITION DANIEL FIRST BECOMES DISTINGUISHED . read more
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John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 2:45
Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands ,.... See Gill on Daniel 2:34 . and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold ; of which the image was made he had seen in his dream; and which represented the several monarchies of the world in succession, and described their nature, condition, and circumstances, and the ruin of them; See Gill on Daniel 2:35 . the great God hath made known to the king what shall... read more