Page 129 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

As he stood in the presence of Rhea, the Median General handsome and vigorous
despite his three-score years, bowed low in deepest respect as he said: “Your Majesty
Queen Rhea, you have never before seen me nor I you, but I know that you are my

esteemed aunt, the sister of my honored father. I wish to make it known to you, that as
we, the Medes and Persians, have now captured the city of Babylon for King Cyrus,
we yet intend to treat you, noble Queen, with the utmost deference and respect, and
you will not be asked to withdraw from the palace or be disturbed in any way.

Moreover, I shall seek your counsel and advice in carrying on the government. We
shall first maintain martial law, then we shall establish a civil government over which
I shall be temporary king, until our lord, King Cyrus moves hither and makes Babylon
his capital.”

“I thank you for your grace and clemency, my noble nephew. I assure you that I
will be glad to give you any counsel and help that I can. This conquest is not a
surprised to me, for I have long been a worshipper of Jehovah, the God of the
Hebrews. Over a half-century ago He, the Revealer of Secrets, made it known that the

Kingdom of Babylon would not endure, but my wicked and dissolute grandson,
Belshazzar, would not heed, and judgment has come upon him by your hand on the
very night that he blasphemes Jehovah.”

All this was strange and somewhat unintelligible to Gobryas, but impressed him
nevertheless. After bidding his aunt to retire and set her mind at ease, Gobryas
withdrew.

The next day, Gobryas proclaimed a new kingdom of the Medes and Persians over
which Cyrus ultimately would reign as king. Pending Cyrus’ arrival and assumption
of authority, Gobryas announced that he would reign as king pro tem with the dynastic
title of Darius.

So secular history and Holy Writ converge to show that the evil and ill-fated feast
of Belshazzar marked the time of transition: “That night was Belshazzar the King of
the Chaldeans slain and Darius the Median took the kingdom.”