1. By this we see Daniel used vocal prayer, pouring out his soul.
2. That the saints in prayer do parley with God; it is a humble, and holy, and fervent unbosoming our soul to God.
3. That holy men, in confessing the sins of the nation, confess their own sins too, and that impartially, begging pardon for all.
4. That when a child of God sets himself in earnest to seek God by prayer, the Lord hears him. Compare Daniel 9:20 with Daniel 9:23.
5. As the angels are all ministering spirits, so the chiefest angels are sent in the chiefest messages relating to the church of God. Thus Gabriel before, Daniel 8:16. Thus here. Also to Zacharias, and Mary, Luke 1:11,19,26, about the incarnation of Christ, and our salvation by him.
6. God herein gives a great encouragement to prayer, and fulfils his promises made of old to his people in this behalf, Leviticus 26:40-42 Deuteronomy 30:1-3 Isaiah 30:19; and Isaiah 65:24, It shall come to pass, before they call I will answer, and while they are yet speaking I will hear.
7. The Lord is quick in hearing and helping his people. The angel was made to fly swiftly, even unto weariness, as some translate it. Or, to fly with flight, Habakkuk 1:8. The time of the evening sacrifice was a solemn and set time of devotion. Then God heard Elijah and did wonders, 1 Kings 18:36-38; and Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world was sacrificed for us at that time, about the ninth hour, Matthew 27:46 Mark 15:34 Luke 23:44, &c.; all these three evangelists mention Christ's giving up the ghost at the ninth hour, which was the time of the evening sacrifice. At this time Gabriel is sent to Daniel to tell him the time of the Messiah's death, and the consequence of it. See Daniel 9:24, &c.