His windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem: this was, 1 Kings 8:47-49, according to Solomon's prayer, which doubtless all the devout Jews in their captivity did observe. Toward Jerusalem; not towards the east, which was the manner of the Gentiles; nor towards the king's palace, lest that, in compliance with the king's edict, he should seem to worship him; but towards the west and the temple in Jerusalem, where the holy of holies stood in the west end, and because the temple was the place where the Lord placed his name and worship, and promised to appear, and accept his people and their sacrifices, all being a type of Christ, through whom only the saints are accepted; which doubtless Daniel by faith had an eye to; believing also that God in his own time would deliver them out of this captivity, and bring them back again, and that he faithfully minded these things in the midst of his honours, and riches, and employments. Kneeled upon his knees: this posture was always used in times of mourning and danger; not that we are tied to this gesture, but it is a comely posture before the great God; noting of guilt at the bar of God's tribunal, and begging for our lives, by humble confession and humiliation, and craving pardon, and blessing God for his mercies. Three times a day: thus David, Psalms 55:17. These three times were, one at nine in the morning, which was their third hour of the day, Acts 2:15; the sixth hour was at twelve o clock, then Peter prayed, Acts 10:9; the ninth hour was our three in the afternoon, which was the time of the evening sacrifice, 1 Kings 18:36 Acts 3:1; it is called the hour of prayer, and at that our Saviour Christ offered up himself a sacrifice for us, Matthew 27:46,50. Now Daniel ordered his affairs so, that, though great, they should not hinder his solemn devotions to God. As he did aforetime; by which we see he was a holy man, also that he did not abate his prayers for the king's command, nor did he rashly break the law, by doing it purposely, because he did no more than he was wont to do in serving his God. Daniel did not imprudently, much less sinfully, in this action.
1. Because he would have declared by it that he preferred man before God.
2. It was against the law of nature, which commands God to be worshipped.
3. Against the dictates and peace of his own conscience.
4. Against the people of God, whom he would grieve and stumble by this forbearance.
5. Against his enemies, by hardening them in their evil way, and giving them occasion of triumphing and blaspheming.