Page 93 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

The sun had peeped over the eastern horizon when they arrived at the farmhouse,
and the king was already up.
He greeted his visitors with great warmth and they in turn were delighted at his

return to his old keenness of mind. But all noted a mellowness and humility and
gentleness which had never been in the old Nebuchadnezar. His first words to his
former associates were to declare his full faith and submission to the one living and
true God and to notify them that if he returned to the kingdom, it would be to forsake

the gods of Babylon, and to give full worship and service to Jahveh. This was
surprising to Nebuzaradan, Ashpenaz, and Arioch, though not to Daniel, but they
offered no objection.

After many hours of planning through the whole day, it was decided that the king
should be presented suddenly at the Feast of the Saturnalia at the time of the winter
Solstice, which was yet a month off. Meanwhile, there would be careful preparation,
and in the greatest secrecy. The army and the palace guard were the most important

units to swing over, but their discontent and restlessness under the existing regime
were so well known that no great difficulty in this regard was anticipated.
Nebuzaradan, though ostensibly out of the army and retired, still retained the highest
respect and loyalty of all the officers. The same was true with regard to Arioch and the

palace guard. At a given signal, Belgar and his subordinates would be placed under
arrest by the palace guard; picked elements of the army were to be strategically placed
to quell any who might be loyal to Belgar. To bring about these ends, Nebuzaradan
and Arioch would assume the responsibility. Daniel and his friends and Ashpenaz

would place loyal men among the civilians to lead the people in a popular
acclamation, “Hail to the King!”

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All these plans were carried out in detail and with perfect precision.

On the day of the Feast of the Saturnalia, Belgar had announced that he would

make a speech to the populace. A great platform had been erected in front of the great
gate of the palace. He had arranged that Mithras and the orchestra under his direction,
should play numerous musical selections, and there was to be a display of pomp and
show to please the people. But there were other plans that had been better perfected
than those of Belgar.

King Nebuchadnezzar had remained in seclusion at the farmhouse of Bigthan until