Daniel 1
1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2And
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. 3And
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; 4Children 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. 5And 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. 6Now among
these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 7Unto
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.
8But 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. 9Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love
with the prince of the eunuchs. 10And 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. 11Then
said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel,
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12Prove thy servants, I beseech
thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13Then
let our countenances 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. 14So he consented to them in this matter, and
proved them ten days. 15And 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. 16Thus Melzar took away the
portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them
pulse.
17As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in
all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and
dreams. 18Now 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. 19And the king communed w1In the third year of the
reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto
Jerusalem, and besieged it.
Daniel 1:2 (KJV)
2And 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.
Daniel 1:3 (KJV)
3And 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;
Daniel 1:4 (KJV)
4Children 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.
Daniel 1:5 (KJV)
5And 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.
Daniel 1:6 (KJV)
6Now among these were of the
children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
Daniel 1:7 (KJV)
7Unto 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.
Daniel 1:8 (KJV)
8But 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.
Daniel 1:9 (KJV)
9Now God had brought Daniel
into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
Daniel 1:10 (KJV)
10And 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.
Daniel 1:11 (KJV)
11Then said Daniel to Melzar,
whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and
Azariah,
Daniel 1:12 (KJV)
12Prove thy servants, I
beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
Daniel 1:13 (KJV)
13Then let our countenances 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.
Daniel 1:14 (KJV)
14So he consented to them in
this matter, and proved them ten days.
Daniel 1:15 (KJV)
15And 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.
Daniel 1:16 (KJV)
16Thus Melzar took away the
portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them
pulse.
Daniel 1:17 (KJV)
17As for these four children,
God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had
understanding in all visions and dreams.
Daniel 1:18 (KJV)
18Now 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.
Daniel 1:19 (KJV)
19And the king communed with
them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and
Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 1In the third year of
the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto
Jerusalem, and besieged it.
Daniel 1:2 (KJV)
2And 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.
Daniel 1:3 (KJV)
3And 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;
Daniel 1:4 (KJV)
4Children 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.
Daniel 1:5 (KJV)
5And 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.
Daniel 1:6 (KJV)
6Now among these were of the
children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
Daniel 1:7 (KJV)
7Unto 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.
Daniel 1:8 (KJV)
8But 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.
Daniel 1:9 (KJV)
9Now God had brought Daniel
into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
Daniel 1:10 (KJV)
10And 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.
Daniel 1:11 (KJV)
11Then said Daniel to Melzar,
whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and
Azariah,
Daniel 1:12 (KJV)
12Prove thy servants, I
beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
Daniel 1:13 (KJV)
13Then let our countenances 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.
Daniel 1:14 (KJV)
14So he consented to them in
this matter, and proved them ten days.
Daniel 1:15 (KJV)
15And 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.
Daniel 1:16 (KJV)
16Thus Melzar took away the
portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them
pulse.
Daniel 1:17 (KJV)
17As for these four children,
God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had
understanding in all visions and dreams.
Daniel 1:18 (KJV)
18Now 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.
Daniel 1:19 (KJV)
19And the king communed with
them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and
Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. Daniel 1:1
1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2And
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. 3And
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; 4Children 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. 5And 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. 6Now among
these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 7Unto
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.
1
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.
2
3
4
52And 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 god2And
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 god2And
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 god2And
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 god2And
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. 3And
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; 4Children 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. 5And 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. 6Now among
these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 7Unto
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.
1. Babylon’s Attack
Daniel,
the young Hebrew living in the land of Judah was probably somewhere around 17
or 18 years old when Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon came and besieged
Jerusalem. The prophet of God, Jeremiah, had been proclaiming for years that
captivity would come because of the sin of the people. But the people who heard
this proclamation turned deaf ears and would not repent, and thus God allowed
Babylon and king Nebuchadnezzar to plunder the land of Judah and hold thousands
of Jews captive.
Babylon
would carry away the vessels of the
temple, God’s House. (Babylon always represents the world in the Bible). The
world wants to separate your life and heart from the House of God. The world
doesn’t want you to serve the Lord but rather support the world and it’s
precepts.
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 Abednego.
2. Babylon’s Training
Babylon
would also carry away the valiant men
of God’s people. Instead of slaughtering the captives, the king deported them
and sent them off to school. Babylon took some of the finest young men from
Jerusalem for reeducation. These talented young men, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael
and Azaraiah, were taken captive and were to be retrained. This old world wants
to groom all of us and it wants to make changes in our life. The world is
seeking to train you up and teach you it’s system and it’s values. The world
doesn’t want you to give your time and talent in serving the Lord but rather
use your talent for self and worldly gains. We find the people of God led away
in chains, bound for at least 70 years of captivity in Babylon, because of sin.
Babylon
wants to change the names of these young men from Hebrew names to Babylonian
names. Daniel means “God is my judge” and Babylon wanted to change his name to
Belteshazzar meaning “servant of baal”. Hananiah means “God is gracious” and
Babylon wanted to change his name to Shadrach meaning “inspiration of the sun”.
Mishael means “God is without equal” and Babylon wanted to change his name to
Meshach meaning “servant of the goddess shach”. Azariah means “God is my help”
and Babylon wanted to change his name to Abednego meaning “servant of fire”.
The world wants to deny you of any relationship with God.
Babylon not only wanted to change their names but
their home and race. They are taken from the people of God to a worldly city
named Babylon. Babylon would change what these four Hebrew young men were
taught. No more scripture but culture.
Babylon also wanted to change the tongue or dialect of these young men.
No more Hebrew but Chaldean. Babylon would try to change their religion from
serving God to serving the gods of this world. Hear me today, this world wants
to train your children in it’s way, this world wants your talent and treasure
to be used for it’s benefit. This world does not want scripture learning,
speaking praises unto God, or the practice of prayer but it wants to totally
indoctrinate you in it’s theories, precepts and glories.
Today, by our culture we are taught to eat, dress
and think like Babylonians. What a pity we are so accepting of this
indoctrination. You see my friend Babylon wanted to change Daniels name and his
home, but it could not change his heart. Babylon wanted to change what he was taught
but it could not change what he already knew, that the Lord, He is God. Babylon
wanted to change his tongue but it could not change his praise of God. Babylon
wanted to change Daniel’s religion but it could not change the one he served,
his God.
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 which 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 countenances 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.
3. Daniel’s Stand
Daniel
purposed in his heart that he would be faithful to God. The king had ordered a
menu for all of the captives to eat and drink from, meat that was unclean for a
Jew to eat and drink that had been dedicated and offered to Babylonian idols.
Daniel would not compromise.
The first temptation of Eve in the Garden of Eden
was based on food. The first temptation that Jesus faced in the wilderness was
based on food. The temptation that Daniel and his three friends now face is
based on food. To eat or not to eat, that was the question.
I can see the captives sit down at the
table and the servers appear with honey baked ham and other sweet smelling
delicacies. Yet, at the very risk of death, at the risk of concentration camp,
at the risk of being labeled a trouble- maker and at the risk of turning down
attractive sweet smelling cuisine and potentially starving to death, Daniel
makes a stand. Daniel could have compromised and said “When in Babylon do as
the Babylonians do” or “God, you let me down by sending me here, so I’ll just
quit you” or demanded “God you do right by me and I’ll do right by you”.
Instead of compromise Daniel makes a stand.
He
requests, he does not demand or command. “Put us to the test,” Daniels
suggests. “Try us for ten days. Give us pulse to eat and water to drink. Then
compare us to the others.” The eunuch consented. Pulse probably was a
variety of lentils, beans, seeds and other similar foods. Ten days later,
everyone observed the results and the four young men were found healthier than
all of the others.
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 enquired of them, he found them ten times better
than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. 21 And
Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
4. God’s Reward
You
see God honoring convictions yield God given rewards. Inner conviction
overcomes outer pressure. God has given these four young men a reward for their
faithfulness.
There was God’s revelation.
God
gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom and to Daniel was
given understanding in all visions and dreams.
There was God’s elevation.
God
had these men stand before the king and these young men were found ten times
better than all his court or this world had to offer.
Then there was God’s continuation.
Daniel would stand before this king
and others who would follow this king.
You see my friend, if we will stand for
God, God will stand for us and by us. He will bless and prosper as He sees fit.