We have seen evidence that the earlier chapters were independent traditions. For example, in chapter 1 the four Jews proved to be wiser than all the other sages, yet they are not asked to interpret the dream in chapter 2; Daniel is prominent in chapter 2 but missing from chapter 3. The author does not do a lot to provide smooth transitions between the different episodes, but there is some continuity in that the first four chapters feature King Nebuchadnezzar. The chasm between chapers 4 and 5 is greater than those between the other chapters because the text all of a sudden begins describing King Belshazzar’s banquet without any background information or introduction. For example, the narrator does not record Nebuchadnezzar’s death or supply any chronology for the period following his reign…