What a Queen Brings

When you read the book of Daniel, you might only focus on Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, the fiery furnace and Daniel successfully interpreting the king’s dream. However, as a single woman, there’s a queenly element to it as well. In Daniel 5, we find the new king, Belshazzar, hosting a party for ‘a thousand of his lords, his wives, and his concubines.’ While the drinks are flowing, the king decides to ‘stunt’ or show off his wealth, by allowing his guests to drink from ‘…the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God.’ This took the party to new heights, resulting in everyone disrespectfully drinking from cups designated for priests. As they do, the turn up gets real. Out of nowhere, ‘…the fingers of a man’s hand appear’ and begin writing on a wall. Everyone’s buzz is blown as they try to figure out if what they’re seeing is real or if it’s the Ciroc®. Realizing it’s not the French Vanilla, the king calls in all the wise men to help him understand what the words mean. Unfortunately, none of them could, which bothered the king even more. And thus, enters the queen.

The Queen’s Presence

Though the king’s wives and concubines were in attendance, it was the queen who provided the solution. In Daniel 5:10-12, we see her making her entrance into the banquet hall when she says, “O king, live forever!’ As someone who’s been preparing to be a wife, I have a tendency to pay close attention at how wives in the Bible address, handle, and treat their husband’s. Therefore, the first thing I noticed about this queen, is that she addressed Belshazzar as king. As opposed to coming into the situation and treating him commonly, by simply referring to him by his name, she publicly addresses him as king. By doing so, he’s immediately put at ease because now he knows that, ‘Even though I don’t know what this handwriting means, my queen still has confidence in me; to the point that she still acknowledges my position as king.’ She then takes it a step further by saying, ‘…do not let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your countenance change.’ In other words, she was letting him know, ‘I know that everybody expects you to have all the answers. I know it took a lot for you to have to ask for help. But baby (o king!), I still have faith in you.’ This had to have comforted the king because she was letting him know that, ‘This does not affect your manhood. Though you don’t have the answers, neither do yo’ boys; the wisest of men. So, don’t allow this to affect who you are.’

Learning How to Bring a Solution to Your King

After publicly addressing Belshazzar as king and comforting him by telling him not to worry, she offers a solution. She told him, ‘There is a man in your kingdom…’ Letting him know that, ‘You may not know what to do, but you are still the king. This is still your kingdom and within your kingdom, there is a man who can help you to understand this.’ But like a good wife, she continues to encourage him by saying, ‘…in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers.’ In other words, she was saying, ‘Your father had this same problem baby (o king!) Your father saw visions like this too, so don’t doubt yourself because you’re now having to fill the shoes of the man who built this massive empire. Don’t let this upset you, because even your father had to ask for help.’ Not only did she calm his fears by reminding him of his lineage, but she encouraged him by reminding him that this wasn't his thing. He was created to rule; not to interpret dreams, solve riddles, or explain enigmas. But he did have a man in his kingdom that could.

Preparing to Wear the Crown, Not Just the Title

After reading this, I learned that as a future wife, my job is to ensure that my future hubby knows that he doesn’t have to solve every problem. The queen taught me that I too must ensure that my future hubby is secure and that his place as the head of our household will never be jeopardized; no matter what happens. My job, as a single woman, is to study how the Bible says I am to present solutions to my future husband, so that he walks away with his manhood and kingship intact. And if you’re still reading this book, thank you because that’s your job too. Now is the time to study the Word of God and prepare yourself for the king that the King of Kings has prepared for you.

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