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Chapter 5 records some events in the life of the next king of Babylon, Belshazzar. Nebuchadnezzar ruled for 40 years and was succeeded by his son, Belshazzar in 561 B.C. Most believe that Belshazzar was the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar and the son of Nabonidus, the last King of Babylon, who ruled until 539 B.C. when the Persians led by Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon and took over the empire but did not harm the city. It is believed that Nabonidus was so busy with other affairs that he allowed his son, Belshazzar, to share the throne. It is believed that the account of the feast here in Chapter 5 occurred in the last year of the reign of Belshazzar, 539 B.C. The King invited a thousand of his officers to a great feast and the wine flowed freely. Belshazzar, remembering the silver cups that had been taken from the Temple in Jerusalem, ordered them brought for the feast and they used them to drink toasts to their pagan gods.
While they were drinking there suddenly appeared a finger writing on the wall and the king was overcome with fear. His knees knocked and his legs would not support his weight. The kings "wise men" were sent for with promises of great honor if they could interpret what was written on the wall, but they could not. Daniel was called to interpret the writing. The king promises Daniel the same honor plus he would be made the third ruler of the kingdom if he could interpret the writing. Daniel refused the gifts but did interpret the writing.
First, he reminded Belshazzar what had happened to Nebuchadnezzar when he hardened his heart against God and went mad for 7 years and you, he said, have not humbled yourself even though you were aware of this, you and your house have desecrated the Temple vessels by drinking wine from them. For this, God has sent His judgment.
The words on the wall are "Mene. Mene, Tekel and Parsin". "Mene" means God has numbered your days. "Tekel" means, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting. "Parsin" (Peres) means, your kingdom will be divided between the Medes and the Persians. Then at Belshazzar's command, Daniel was clothed with purple robes, a golden chain was hung around his neck and he was proclaimed the third ruler in the kingdom.
That very night, Belshazzar, the king, was killed and Darius, the Mede, took over the city. This Darius is not to be confused with Darius, the Persian mentioned in Ezra, Haggai or Zachariah nor with the one in Nehemiah 12:22.
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