John Calvin Commentary Daniel 11:1

"And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him." — Daniel 11:1 (ASV)

Interpreters explain this verse in various ways. Some think the angel fought for the Persian king and support their opinion because he did not begin to defend that monarchy on behalf of the chosen people for the first time now, but had done so from the very start. Others attribute this to Michael, since the angel declares that he brought Michael's assistance.

But that is forced and cold. I do not hesitate to state that the argument is from the greater to the less, and we have an instance of this in a tragedy of Ovid's. "I have been able to preserve you; do you ask whether I can destroy you?" Thus the angel says, "I have established the Persian monarchy; I have not the slightest doubt of my present power to restrain these kings, lest they should pour out their fury upon the people."

The full meaning is this: the king of the Persians is nothing and can do nothing except through me. I was God's servant in transferring the monarchy of the Medes and Chaldeans to the Persians, as well as that of the Babylonians to the Medes. God, he says, entrusted me with that office, and so I placed Darius on the throne.

You now see how completely I have him in my power, and how I can prevent him from injuring my people should he be so inclined. When the angel boasts of his standing forward to help Darius, he claims nothing for himself, but speaks, as it were, in the person of God.

For angels have no power distinct from God's when He uses their agency and assistance. There is no reason to inquire whether the angel should use this boastful language and claim anything for himself. For he does not claim anything as really his own, but he shows himself to have been an agent in the change of dynasty when Babylon was subdued by the Medes, and the empire transferred to Darius.

For although, as we have previously shown, Cyrus obtained the victory, yet he transferred the honors of government to his uncle Cyaxares. The Hebrews are accustomed to consider him as king for the first two years; Cyrus began to reign after this period. And now, when the angel appears to Daniel, the third year had arrived, as we saw at the beginning of the chapter.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, as you daily and intimately condescend to grant us the light of heavenly doctrine, that we may come to your school with true humility and modesty. May our docility be truly apparent; may we receive with reverence whatever proceeds from your lips, and may your majesty be conspicuous among us. May we taste of that goodness which you manifest to us in your word, and be enabled to rejoice in you as our Father. May we never dread your presence, but may we enjoy the sweet testimony of your paternal grace and favor. May your word be more precious to us than gold and worldly treasures, and, meanwhile, may we feed upon its sweetness, until we attain that perfect fullness which is laid up for us in heaven through Christ our Lord. Amen.