Chapter LXXVI.
DANIEL SAVES SUSANNA.
[Daniel 13.]
AMONG the captive Jews in Babylon[1] there was a man named Joakim, whose wife, Susanna, was very beautiful, and feared God. Now Joakim being very rich and influential, it happened that many of his countrymen resorted to his house. Among these were two of the ancients who had been appointed judges[2] for that year. The two old men were considered by the people as wise and virtuous, but in reality they were very wicked.
Now the visitors that came to Joakim generally left at noon, and then Susanna would walk forth into the orchard[3] near by to refresh herself in the shade. The two old men knew this, and one day they went into the orchard and hid themselves behind the trees. A little later Susanna came in and fastened the gate, believing herself alone. Then the wicked old men came forth from their hiding-place and tried to make her commit sin[4].
Susanna was horrified at their proposal; but they said that if she did not consent to their wishes, they would publicly accuse her[5] of a great crime. Then Susanna raised her pure and beautiful eyes to heaven, sighed and said: “I am straitened on every side, for if I do this thing it is death to me[6], and if I do it not I shall not escape your hands[7]. But it is better for me to
- ↑ Babylon. This city had been made by Nabuchodonozor the capital of his kingdom, and he had enlarged it to such an extent that it measured fifty-four miles in circumference, and was surrounded by an enormous wall, flanked by two hundred and fifty towers.
- ↑ Judges, Being esteemed by the people as righteous men. Nabuchodonozor had allowed the Jews to govern themselves and live in accordance with their own laws. The court of justice was held in the house of Joakim, on account of his position among the Jews.
- ↑ The orchard. Large gardens and pleasure-grounds were attached to the houses of the luxurious city of Babylon.
- ↑ Sin. The sin of adultery and unfaithfulness to her husband.
- ↑ Publicly accuse her. So as to expose her to the danger of loss of life and honour.
- ↑ Death to me. i. e. death to my soul and my body, as adulterers were to be stoned.
- ↑ Your hands. “If I do not commit it, you, by false witness, will cause my bodily death.” Thus Susanna was in danger of death on both sides; but she did not even hesitate in her choice, saying that she would rather die innocent than commit sin.
