In Daniel 5, we read of Belshazzar, the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, hosting a great feast.  There was plenty of wine there being drunk.  It was during this feast that “…they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.” (Daniel 5:3-4).  By using these holy vessels for common use…and that by wicked people, it resulted in them being profaned.  These vessels were not used on account of their value, but in disrespect and contempt of them and of the Lord, and in a wicked and abusive way.  These men had absolutely no regard for the Lord and His people.

It was at this point that there was seen a man’s hand writing on the wall of the king’s palace.  This was so frightening that Belshazzar’s face changed from glee to fear.  He began to fear so greatly that his knees began to knock. (Verses 5-6).  Verse 7 tells us, “The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”  Evidently, the letters of the writing were not familiar to the king or to those who were with him. The writing was not in the ordinary Chaldee form, but in some form which to them was unknown.   A great reward was offered to anyone who could interpret this writing on the wall…including the honor of being the third highest ruler in his kingdom.  However, none of these men were able to interpret the writing. 

It was the queen, probably the widow of Nebuchadnezzar, that suggested that Belshazzar summon Daniel, who had interpreted previously for Nebuchadnezzar.  She said that Daniel had, “an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts.” (Verse 12).  How perplexing were these words, “And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.” (Verse 25).  When Belshazzar offered the great gifts to Daniel if he could interpret the handwriting, Daniel refused to accept them. (Verse 17). How it must have shocked and discouraged the king when Daniel made known the writing, “MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. (Verses 26-28).

The king, having promised to greatly reward the interpreter of this writing, was perhaps ashamed to break his word, even though the message was so devastating. It could be, too, that Belshazzar considered this writing as an idle threat.  We are not told why Daniel accepted these rewards after saying he would not accept them.  It could be that to refuse this thing from the king could be considered as disloyalty.   

As accurately predicted, it was that very night that Belshazzar was killed, and Darius the Median took his kingdom, as we read in Daniel 5:30-31, “In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.”  So much time given to overindulgence, idolatry, and disrespect to the one true God caused Belshazzar his life.  Was this man saved?  There is nothing to indicate that he was.  In fact, the death of Belshazzar is an outstanding example of the truth of Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”  We also see the truth of Galatians 6:7 illustrated in this king, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”  (CC)  (653.6)