A PERSONAL

 

VERSE BY VERSE COMMENTARY

 

 

DANIEL

 

 

 

 

SHARON CRAVENS

(3/10) I thought I should add a note concerning the chronological flow of this book; it is chapters 1-4, 7-8, 5-6, 9-12.

 

Dan. 1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

Dan. 1:2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

According to commentators, the events described here happened in 605 BC and pertain to the first time that Nebuchadnezzar takes captives to Babylon from Judah; it marks the beginning of the 70 years of captivity predicted by the prophet Jeremiah.

Jer. 29:10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

2Kings 24 and 2Chronicles 36 give accounts of these same events.  Neb did not destroy the temple at this time, but he did take many of the valuable vessels from the temple to bring back to Babylon (Shinar) in honor of his god, Marduk.

Gen. 11:2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.

Gen. 11:9 Therefore is the name of it called BabelÉ

 

Dan. 1:3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the kingÕs seed, and of the princes;

Dan. 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the kingÕs palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

When Neb first conquered Judah/Jerusalem, he took some of the smartest and most privileged children, including those of the royal family, back to Babylon to teach them their language and indoctrinate them in the ways of the Chaldeans.  Ashpenaz, the master of the eunuchs, was the designated authority to supervise the training of these young men.  These young men were described as:

á      Having no physical flaws

á      Handsome; pleasing to look at

á      Quick learners

á      Smart, intelligent

á      Having ability to discern, understand, reason and make application of knowledge

á      Having demonstrated the ability to assume leadership positions

 

(7/07) I was reminded when reading through this journal again that these verses are directly connected to GodÕs judgment against Hezekiah declared by the prophet Isaiah.

Is. 39:6 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.

Is. 39:7 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

 

Dan. 1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the kingÕs meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

These young men were given the best that Babylon had to offer; they were even fed from the same food supplies used to serve the king.  The designated time of training and preparation was three years.  At the end of that time they were to assume positions of service as determined by the king.

 

Dan. 1:6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

Dan. 1:7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

At this point four of the captive youths are specifically identified by both their Hebrew and Babylonian names.

  1. Daniel (judgment of God, God my judge) = Belteshazzar (who lays up treasures in secret)
  2. Hananiah (grace, mercy, gift of the Lord) = Shadrach (tender, nipple)
  3. Mishael (who is asked for or lent) = Meshach (that draws with force)
  4. Azariah (he that hears the Lord) = Abednego (servant of light, shining)

From HitchcockÕs Bible Names Dictionary

 

I think the Hebrew names are quite significant as to indicating why these particular young men were singled out.  It seems to indicate that their parents were true servants of the Lord who had invested of themselves spiritually in the lives of these young men.  This is reflected in their commitment to please God as they face tests of loyalty as related later in this book.

 

Dan. 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the kingÕs meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

In my opinion, this is a very important verse in scripture.  It teaches that we are people of choice and that it is important that we choose well according to the teaching of GodÕs word.

 

Òpurposed in his heartÓ – Daniel made a decision; he determined that he was not going to do anything to defile himself, to make himself unclean according to GodÕs food laws.  Instead of just staging a defiant spirit, he asks Ashpenaz to allow him to eat according to the laws of God.

 

Dan. 1:9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

Dan. 1:10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.

God knows our hearts.  He wants us to succeed.  Daniel had a heart to obey God, so God caused Ashpenaz to look on Daniel with kindness, compassion and mercy.  Ashpenaz wanted to grant DanielÕs request, but he was afraid of what would happen to him if Daniel and his friends didnÕt look as healthy as the rest of the captives who were eating and drinking the best that Babylon had to offer.

(Òyour facesÓ – This phrase implies that DanielÕs request had included his three friends.)  He was afraid he would be beheaded.  (Interesting that this is still a punishment associated with this part of the world.)

 

Dan. 1:11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

Dan. 1:12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

Dan. 1:13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the kingÕs meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

Daniel continues to exhibit respect and diplomacy.  He proposes a simple ten-day test to allow Ashpenaz to see if the change in diet reflected poorly in the appearance of the young men.  For ten days they would only eat vegetables and drink water.  After that time Daniel would accept AshpenazÕs decision. 

 

This is a great step of faith on the part of Daniel.  He has purposed in his heart to obey God, and he is stepping out in faith that God will provide for him to be able to obey Him.  A step of faith according to the revealed will of God will always result in victory/success.  Evidently, Daniel had had personal experience or had observed the success of his parents or someone else whom he respected in the matter of faith and obedience to God.  DanielÕs actions were quite mature for one so young.

 

Dan. 1:14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

Dan. 1:15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the kingÕs meat.

Dan. 1:16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

Ashpenaz agreed to the time of testing.  At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his friends looked much healthier than the rest of the captives.  From that time on, they were given vegetables instead of meat. 

 

ÒMelzarÓ – the term appears to reference the butler, the one who served the food.  He seems to be the one delegated authority under Ashpenaz. 

 

Dan. 1:17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

These four Hebrew children were especially gifted by God to excel in all areas of their studies.  Daniel was singled out with gifting in understanding visions and dreams. 

 

This seems to indicate that as part of his training, Daniel was given an opportunity to discover this gifting before he was ever confronted with the events of chapter two.  Daniel had already been grouped with the Òwise menÓ of the kingdom.  God was already preparing Daniel for his service to God through his service to the king.  (This very much makes me think of the story of Joseph.)

 

Dan. 1:18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

Dan. 1:19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.

Dan. 1:20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

When the captives were brought in to Nebuchadnezzar at the end of the three years, the four Hebrew friends stood out as the top of the class; they were definitely the best of the best.  In fact, Nebuchadnezzar found them to be ten times better than any of the recognized magicians and astrologers in all of Babylon.  Evidently they were promoted to the top positions in the land before the king.

 

Dan. 1:21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

Daniel was one of the first captives taken to Babylon and lived to see Cyrus conquer Babylon.  He served the ruling kings almost the full 70 years of the Babylonian captivity.