Definition: [Now] the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: [and] the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Daniel 5. It’s a really interesting story about leadership and how to handle a situation where someone tries to manipulate the king. Here's the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Story: The queen, who was visiting the king, made a big mistake – she spoke out of turn and said, "Let him live forever!" This is a pretty bold statement! The king, worried about being seen as weak or foolish, told her to stop. The queen then asked the king to keep her face calm and peaceful, hoping he wouldn’t be angered by her words. What it Means – A Simple Explanation: “By reason of the words of the king and his lords…” This means the queen's behavior was influenced by the king and his advisors (the people in power). They were trying to tell her what to do or how to act. “…came into the banquet house:” She was at a fancy party, enjoying herself. “The queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:” This is where it gets interesting. She made a serious request – she wanted to be immortalized by the king, to never be troubled or upset. She asked him to keep her face calm and peaceful. The Meaning – A Lesson About Leadership: This verse is about leadership . It's saying that a leader should: Be mindful of their words: Don’t say things you might regret later, especially when others are watching. Stay calm and composed: Even if someone tries to manipulate you, don’t react defensively or angrily. Maintain dignity: Showing respect and composure is important for maintaining a good reputation and being trusted. In short, the queen's statement was a warning – it wasn’t a request, but a challenge to the king to be wise and dignified. --- Do you want me to delve deeper into any specific aspect of this verse? For example, we could talk about: The context of Daniel 5 within the story of King Belshazzar The symbolism behind the queen's request (it represents a desire for immortality)