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[Daniel Ch.1: From Jerusalem to Babylon] I. The Conquest of Jerusalem (1:1-2)DAN
1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah
came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
In the late 7th century, B.C. Egypt and Babylon were competing for power
in their part of the Middle East. In 605 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar decisively
ended the competition by routing the Egyptians at the Battle of Carchemish.
This also handed Palestine over to Babylonian control.
About that time, came the news of the death of Nabopolassar,
Nebuchadnezzar's father. Nebuchadnezzar rushed to Babylon--through the
desert--to claim the throne. He also took captives to Babylon, among whom
were Daniel and his companions. Problem: The siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar was in August, 605 B.B. Daniel placed it at the "third year of Jehoiakim" (1:1). However, Jeremiah placed this historic date during the "fourth year of Jehoiakim" (Jer. 46:2)
Solution: two calendar systems
were used at that time-- Nishan
-- used by Babylon, Jeremiah and Israel's northern kings; it started in
the Spring Tishri
-- used by Daniel and Israel's southern kings; it started in the Fall
DAN
1:2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand
Jehoiakim was originally a vassal of Pharoah Necho.
He was not deported to Babylon because of the Nebuchadnezzar's rush
to Babylon. The latter thought it best to left Jehoiakim as puppet-king in
Palestine, which he did. Jehoiakim subsequently rebelled, but was put
down. DAN
1:2 ...with part of the vessels of the house of God
The king did this (1) to use in the worship of the Babylonian god Marduk,
and (2) to show that his gods were more powerful than the captives' gods. The vessels were returned to Jerusalem by Cyrus (Ezra 1:7) and the rest by Darius I (Ezra 6:5).
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