I do not see any difficulty in the chronology of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar takes the city, but leaves Jehoiakim there. Daniel goes to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar dreams in the second year. Daniel was three years under inspiration, Nebuchadnezzar not counting till after his father's death. If he took Jerusalem on his way down to Egypt, as is said, Daniel was sent there, and the chronology fits in exactly. In his second year of reign, Daniel would have filled his three years.
Thus, Jehoiakim's eleven years were as follows: he reigns three years, served three years (2 Kings 24:11In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him. (2 Kings 24:1)) rebels after the six years, and reigns for five years harassed by inroads. Jehoiachin reigns three months. Nebuchadnezzar was king in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, so that Jehoiachin, in the eighth year of Nebuchadnezzar is taken captive, Jehoiakim reigning seven of those years, and it being the first year of Jehoiachin; 2 Kings 24:1212And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign. (2 Kings 24:12). Thus: Jehoiakim reigns eleven years. In his third year, Jerusalem is taken, Daniel led away, and Nebuchadnezzar goes on to Egypt. In the first year of Jehoiakim's servitude, Nebuchadnezzar was king at the end. In the second year Nebuchadnezzar dreams. Jehoiakim then rebels, and reigns five years harassed by inroads. Jehoiachin reigns three months, when Jerusalem is taken. In the eighth year of Nebuchadnezzar, Jehoiachin is taken captive.
1. "Besieged it," closed up against it, besieged it in the sense of shutting up, as was then done.
3. Par-t'mim (chiefs) Persian as in Zend and Sanskrit, Magnates, Primi.
4. Se-pher (book) letters, book-learning; see verse 17.
5. Mip-path-bag (of dainties—'of the king's meat'). Persian, pad bah; bah food, and pad lord. Sanskrit, pitri, father.
6. Note here the recognition of the distinction; see above, verse 3. Both are noticed in this Book afterward. If we do not take notice of this distinction, we shall never understand the prophecies, for the whole order of their accomplishment hangs on it—sometimes both, which is the final thing—sometimes one, which has its proper place—and sometimes the other. Elsewhere we shall see the entire importance of this.
10. K'ghil-chem (of your age).