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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 3:8-18

It was strange that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, would be present at this assembly, when, it is likely, they knew for what intent it was called together. Daniel, we may suppose, was absent, either his business calling him away or having leave from the king to withdraw, unless we suppose that he stood so high in the king's favour that none durst complain of him for his noncompliance. But why did not his companions keep out of the way? Surely because they would obey the king's orders as far... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 3:19-27

In these verses we have, I. The casting of these three faithful servants of God into the fiery furnace. Nebuchadnezzar had himself known and owned so much of the true God that, one would have thought, though his pride and vanity induced him to make this golden image, and set it up to be worshipped, yet what these young men now said (whom he had formerly found to be wiser than all his wise men) would revive his convictions, and at least engage him to excuse them; but it proved quite otherwise.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:8

Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near ,.... That is, to King Nebuchadnezzar, either in his palace at Babylon, or more likely in the plain of Dura: and accused the Jews ; particularly Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, as after mentioned, of not obeying the king's command, to worship the golden image: these Chaldeans at the time of adoration had their eyes upon the Jews, particularly those three men, to observe how they would behave; and as they stood up while the others fell... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:9

They spake and said to Nebuchadnezzar ,.... Having got access unto him, and within his hearing, they expressed themselves in the following manner: O king, live for ever ; this they said to show their fidelity and hearty attachment to him, and their regard to his welfare, and the continuance of his life; and the rather to ingratiate themselves into his affections, and gain audience of him; See Gill on Daniel 2:4 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:10

Thou, O king, hast made a decree ,.... According to his own mind and will, and which he had published as such to his subjects: that every man ; let him be who he will, high or low, rich or poor, in whatsoever station or condition: that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music ; such as had been just then blown or played on: shall fall down and worship the golden image ; which the king had ordered to be made and set... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:11

And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth ,.... The image; the above is the decree, this that follows the sanction of it: that he should be cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace ; See Gill on Daniel 3:6 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:12

There are certain Jews ,.... Men, by birth, by nation, and religion, despicable, foreigners, exiles, and captives; this they observe by way of contempt, and tacitly suggest that they were never worthy of the king's regard, and improper persons to be put in places of profit and trust, and that the king had done a wrong thing in advancing them: whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon ; not to see that the streets, ways, and walls, were kept in order, as Saadiah... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:13

Then Nebuchadnezzar, in his rage and fury ,.... Which did not became him as a man, much less as a king, and still less as engaged in devotion and religion; commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego ; that is, immediately before him; who very probably were not afar off: he did not order them in his wrath and fury to be slain directly, as he did the wise men and soothsayers in another case; but to be brought before him, and examined first, that he might know the truth of these... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:14

Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, is it true ,.... What I have heard of you, what you are charged with and accused of; surely it cannot be; so Aben Ezra and Saadiah interpret the word as we do, and all the Oriental versions: it is only used in this place: it is expressed by way of admiration, as Jacchiades observes; it being incredible to the king, what he could never believe, unless it appeared plain in his own eyes. Some F15 הצדא "nunquid desolatio?" Montanus. So Jacchiades,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:15

Now if ye be ready that at what time ye shall hear ,.... The meaning is, that if they were disposed in mind, which the king was very desirous they should, both for his own honour, and for their safety, for whom he had a regard; and were willing to comply with his orders, and readily yield obedience to his will, and worship his idol; the following would be a signal to them, and all would be well with them: or it may be rendered, "when now ye shall be, that at what time ye shall hear" F17 ... read more

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