V.1 Why should Israel agree to meet with Judah at Jerusalem, given the hostility between them? Let’s consider the conditions which were conducive to such a meeting. First, Hoshea, the king of Israel was better disposed to this arrangement than previous kings of Israel. Second, the Assyrians had taken away the golden calves of Bethel and Dan, and there was no place in Israel to worship as before.

Vs.2,3 The Passover should really have been kept on the fourteenth of the first month (Nisan) (Exo 12:2,16). But, the sanctification of both the priests and the temple could not be ready by that time, and so Hezekiah ordered the Passover for the second month (Ijar).

This is another example of the Law’s being flexible when conditions dictated it. We should keep that in mind if we become rigid on a given point when the greater good is at stake.

The Passover proclamation when out to all the land, from Beersheba in the south, to Dan in the north. There were some in Israel who derided the invitation, but others humbled themselves and agreed to attend (vs.10,11). Despite the detractors, God’s blessing was on the Passover, which went ahead (vs.12,13).

When a spiritually sound proposal is made in Christ’s ecclesia, there might be some members who refuse to comply. The larger community should have the conviction of faith to go ahead with the proposal. Too many times, well-intentioned members, who want 100% participation, do not move on an issue for fear of leaving some members out in the cold. This is a prescription for failure. We should let the examples of scripture guide us: For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction (Rom 15:4).

V.14 The Kidron Valley had become a dumping ground for all things unholy. That is the reason it is the designated dumping ground for the unholy nations who will come up against Israel in the end times (Joel 3:2,12). (Note: The Valley of Jehoshaphat is the Kidron Valley).

Vs.16-20 This is another example of flexibility of the Law, which Yahweh accepted, to accommodate the greater good of the occasion.

Vs.13,20 Cyrus did not have any natural inclination to help the Jews. But, Yahweh had chosen him to do so. He was called Yahweh's shepherd (KJV), and anointed (KJV) (Isa 44:28; 45:1) 

Here, we have a glimpse of the work of angels, operating in a realm not understood by us. The outcome would be certain, that Cyrus would fulfill the Yahweh's will. But, how the angels supernaturally persuaded him is a mystery. Note that the initial period of working with Cyrus matches the time of Daniel’s mourning (v.2).

Vs.2,3 It is not clear why Daniel was mourning and fasting. Perhaps Daniel was mourning for his nation that was encountering political roadblocks to re-building the temple. Or, perhaps he was perplexed by his last vision.

V.4 The Hiddekel (KJV) was the Tigris. The Tigris was one of the three rivers which flowed out of Eden (Gen 2:14). Hence, we can deduct that the Garden of Eden was located in the Mesopotamian region.

Vs.5,6 Was the man Gabriel?

Vs.5,6 Peter was living with Simon the tanner in Joppa.

Jews did not, generally, find tanning a desirable occupation. The odors, in the process of tanning, are overwhelmingly unpleasant. Besides, Jews might have to process animals that were ritually unclean.

Tanning establishments were always found near the sea in the Ancient Near East. First, the sea breezes would waft away the terrible smells; and, second, salt water was readily accessible to wash the hides. Joppa (Jaffa) lies on the Mediterranean coast just south of modern Tel Aviv.

V.1 Cornelius is commonly considered the first Gentile convert to the True Gospel.

But, what of Cornelius's status as a Roman army officer: All true followers are covenanted to follow Jesus - to be at peace with all, and to show violence to nobody.

In the Roman army, the rank of centurion was divided into six levels, which roughly equate to the difference between captain and colonel in a modern army. Apart from armed conflict in the field, the centurion had to inflict both minor and major punishments on soldiers. There were six punishments for minor offences, one of which was a brutal whipping of the offending soldier (s).

Then, there were two major punishments:

Fusturarium: a sentence for desertion or dereliction of duty. The legionary would be stoned or beaten to death by cudgels, in front of the assembled troops, by his fellow soldiers, whose lives had been put in danger. Soldiers under sentence of fustuarium who escaped were not pursued, but lived under sentence of banishment from Rome.

Decimation: a sentence carried out against an entire unit which had mutinied, deserted, or shown dereliction of duty. One out of every ten men, chosen by lots, would be beaten to death, usually by the other nine, who would be forced to live outside the camp and in some instances obliged to renew the military oath, the sacramentum (Wikipedia).

After baptism, Cornelius could have been subject to the fusturarium if he were considered derelict in his duty.

What is the command of Jesus to His followers? Christ commanded through Paul: Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity) (ESV).

And so, Cornelius should remain as a centurion if he could not gain his freedom from the Roman army. However, if he remained he could do no violence to anyone under Christ’s laws (Luke 3:14).

But what happened to Cornelius? We do not know. Perhaps the Lord provided a way in which he could extricate himself from the Roman army. Or, if he had to remain a centurion, perhaps the Lord provided a way for Cornelius in which he did not have to engage in any violence. Or, perhaps the Lord gave Cornelius a trial in which he had to choose possible death in order to follow Him.

Our situation in life might not be as critical as that of Cornelius. Nevertheless, we should be prepared to lay down our lives in the service of the Lord, if we are His true followers (John 15:6;1John 3:16).