John Trapp on Daniel 5:1

CHAP. V.

Ver. 1. Belſhazzar the King] Son to Evilmerodach, grandſon to Nebuchadnezzar, whoſe line failed in this King, according to Jer. 27.7. Of Evilmerodach Daniel ſaith nothing: becauſe nothing remarkable fell out in his time, but what was before related, 2 King. 25.27. See there.

Made a great feaſt] Of this feaſt, ſee Jer. 25.26. Herodos. l. 1. Xenoph. lib. 7. It was made, ſay ſome, upon occaſion of a yearly ſolemnity, which continued five dayes together, wherein the ſervants bare ſway in every family, having a maſter of miſrule over them. Cyrus took this opportunity, ſaith Xenophon, and made himſelf maſter of the City: Nota hic Baltaſaris miram vecordiam, ſaith one: that is, take notice of Belſhazzars ſtrange ſtupidity and ſecurity; that having ſuch a formidable enemy before the City, he ſhould thus revel and bezel: but he did it, perhaps, to ſhew his valour, and how little he cared for the Perſians, who ſhewed themſelves ſoon after to be no contemptible perſons. Certain it is, that he minded nothing leſs at his feaſt then the deliverance of Gods poor people, which now he was in working. Now were the ſeventy years exactly ended: now therefore was Iſrael to be diſmiſſed, and it was done. The Rabbines have a tradition, that Belſhazzar ſeeing the ſeventy years ſpoken of by Jeremy expired, and the Jews,Lyra. by the coming on of another Monarch not delivered, kept this feaſt in contempt of that prophecy and people.

To a thouſand of his Lords] Who 'tis like, were all drunk for company: what wonder then that a land ſo ſick of drink ſpewed them all out? Lords and loſels were grown deſperate drunkards, ripe for ruine. Here were a thouſand Princes, but not one faithful Counſellor, to better adviſe this feſtival King (as he is called) wholly given over to diſſolute luſts. Who can tell whether it were not now with him as afterwards with Vitellius the Emperour, when his enemy was at hand,Tacitu[illegible: 1 letter]. Vitellius trepidus, dein temulentus, to put away the fear of death, he made himſelf drunk?