Daniel 1

Relates (1) how Daniel, and other descendants of David, were carried captive to Babylon in the third year of Jehoiakim; 1, 2. (2) How he and other young men are chosen by Nebuchadnezzar’s orders to be educated in the learning of the Chaldeans; who have victuals appointed them from Nebuchadnezzar’s table

Daniel 1:3-7

(3) How Daniel and his three companions, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, piously refuse the royal dainties, and live on pulse and water, by the permission of Melzar their steward

Daniel 1:20

Acts 19. 9. 10. & 7. 22. ¹² What was left at his table ¹³ Heb. the name of his death. ¹⁴ 1 Tim. 3. 8. ver. 19. Exh. 2. 19. ¹⁵ Eccl. 14. 11. 20. & 28. 3. ch. 8. 17. ¹⁶ Mat. 4. 15. ¹⁷ Ver. 3. 10. ¹⁸ Ch. 4. 5. 13. 6. 3. 12. & 2. 19. 4. 3. 12. 1a. 9. 23. 21. 2a. 25. 22. with Gen. 4. 43. 2 Kin. 24. 17. Thus he named them after the Chaldean idea. ¹⁹ Acts 11. 27. Roth 1. 18. 2 Chr. 9. 7. ²⁰ Rim. 14. 15. -17. 1 Cor. 8. 1-13. & 19. 19-55. 19. 19-55. IN the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 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. 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 king’s seed, and of the princes; 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 king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank; so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. 6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 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 Abed-nego. 8 ¶ But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 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 who are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. 11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our countenance be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest deal with thy servants. 14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 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 king’s meat. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 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. 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. 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. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm

Daniel 1:21

And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus. Before Christ cr. 606. ¹ 15. 15. Is. 8. 15. Heb. saddr. Or term, or continuance. ² Or the steward. ³ Heb. of ps.

1. e. praxe, trans. &c. Heb. that may eat, &c. ⁴ E. 1. 2. Praise, be &c. 605. ⁵ Is. 28. 29. Jam. 1. 5. Act. 7. 12. Ps. 119. 59.
2. ⁶ Or he made Daniel and read. Ex.
3. 2. Gen.
4. Rom. 1.
5. 2 Chr.
6. ch. 10. 1. Ver. 5. 31.
7. 16. 17. with Num.
8. 1 Kin.
9. & 10. 1. Jer. 15. 15. Heb. was of and ing. 1 Kin.
10. 1. ⁷ Very much Gen. 41.
13. 12. Jo. ⁸ Ch. 6. 2.
14. 1. & 1. He lived see it at sions to the return his prop from the bytoman belly, he did not then: 1 usual in same en Ps. 110.
16. 25

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. I.—When men profane God’s temple by their tion, it is but just that he should profane it by his judgments. How exactly Troskiah’s pride is punished in the captivity of his seed! They, who wish to serve their generation, must not spend their youth in idleness, but in study. And it is shameful for Christians to take less care of educating their children from Heathens do to their slaves, and to shew less regard to their God than Hea- theus, to their idols. If we receive favours from men, let us always view as the gift of God, and be the more careful to avoid every appearance and let us always be humble under humbling providences. Let us ne- 102