Book of Daniel, Part 11 - a podcast by Evg. K V Thomas

(Daniel 1:8-21, ESV) 8 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. 9 And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, 10 and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king." 11 Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 "Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king's food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see." 14 So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king's food. 16 So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. 17 As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. 20 And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. 21 And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.///Dan. 1:8 Daniel resolved. The pagan food and drink was devoted to idols. To indulge was to be understood as honoring these deities. Daniel “made up his mind” not to engage in compromise by being untrue to God’s call of commitment (cf. Ex. 34:14–15). Also, foods that God’s law prohibited (Lev. 11) were items that pagans consumed; to partake entailed direct compromise (cf. Dan. 1:12). Moses took this stand (Heb. 11:24–26), as did the psalmist (Ps. 119:115), and Jesus (Heb. 7:26). Cf. 2 Cor. 6:14–18 and 2 Tim. 2:20.

Dan. 1:9 God honored Daniel’s trust and allegiance by sovereignly working favorably for him among the heathen leaders. In this instance, it prevented persecution and led to respect, whereas later on God permitted opposition against Daniel, which also elevated him (Dan. 3; 6). One way or another, God honors those who honor him (1 Sam. 2:30; 2 Chron. 16:9).

Dan. 1:12 vegetables. This Hebrew word appears in a plural form in the OT, only here and in v. 16. It might refer to wheat or barley, or it could be fresh vegetables.

Dan. 1:15 fatter. Indicates healthiness.

Dan. 1:20 ten times better. This probably uses the number qualitatively to signify fullness or completeness, i.e., they displayed incredible skill in answering, beyond the performance of other men who spoke without God’s help. Compare this with “ten days” (vv. 12–15) which is quantitative, since it refers to an actual passage of time.

Dan. 1:21 first year. Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylon in 539 b.c. His third year, in 10:1, is the latest historical year that Daniel mentions (cf. Ezra 1:1–2:1).

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