From Mark Copeland... "THE BOOK OF DANIEL" Chapter Five

                         "THE BOOK OF DANIEL"

                             Chapter Five

This chapter fast forwards to 539 B.C. and the last night of Babylonian
rule.  King Belshazzar (grandson of Nebuchadnezzar) throws a drunken,
idolatrous feast that is interrupted by a hand writing on the wall
(1-12).  Daniel is brought in, and explains that it proclaims the
judgment of Belshazzar and the fall of Babylon into the hands of the
Medes and Persians (13-29) which occurs that very night (30-31). 

POINTS TO PONDER

   *  The character of King Belshazzar contrasted with that of Daniel

   *  The meaning of the writing on the wall as explained by Daniel

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Belshazzar's feast and the writing on the wall - Dan 5:1-12
   - Daniel explains the writing on the wall - Dan 5:13-29
   - Belshazzar's fall - Dan 5:30-31

2) What is the setting leading to the hand writing on the wall? (1-4)
   - A drunken, idolatrous feast using gold vessels from the house of God
     in Jerusalem

3) What reaction did the king have to the hand writing on the wall? (6)
   - Countenance changed, troubled thoughts, hip joints loosened, knees
     knocking

4) Who was unable to tell the king the interpretation of the writing?
   (7-8)
   - His wise men (astrologers, Chaldeans, soothsayers)

5) Who counseled the king to call for Daniel to interpret the writing?
   (10-12)
   - The queen (likely the queen mother, daughter of Nebuchadnezzar)

6) Before interpreting the writing, what did Daniel tell King
   Belshazzar? (17-24)
   - The king could keep his reward (gifts) for himself
   - He had not learned from what happened to King Nebuchadnezzar
   - He had failed to humble himself before God, and did not glorify Him

7) What was the inscription written on the wall, and the
   interpretation? (24-28)
   - Mene (to number):  God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it
   - Tekel (to weigh):  You have been weighed in the balances, and found
     wanting
   - Upharsin (to divide):  Your kingdom has been divided, given to the
     Medes and Persians 

8) What happened that very night? (30-31)
   - King Belshazzar was slain
   - Darius the Mede received the kingdom

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2015