- What occurred in the third year of Jehoiakim’s reign?
Daniel 1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
NOTE: Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, besieged Jerusalem
B. C. 607, and captured it B. C. 606. In. B. C. 583 he took it
again and destroyed the temple, and laid the city waste.
2. What was the result of the siege?
Daniel 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.
3. What command did the king give?
Daniel 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 king’s seed, and of the princes;
4. What qualifications were required.
Daniel 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 king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
5. What were they to be taught?
Daniel 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 king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
6. What was the king’s appointment in regard to their food?
Daniel 1:5 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.
7. How long was their course of training to continue, and for what purpose was this training?
Daniel 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 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.
NOTE: This is simply because every organisation is only as good as it’s educational system. Such as any business that educates it’s employees only gets out of the employees what they put into their education system. So likewise a church will only be as good as it’s educational system. So also the public education system is to establish and maintain the government of that nation which governs that system. In other words the goal of public education systems is to make faithful citizens of the students, not faithful Christians. It therefore is the responsibility of the church to educate the children of that church, and not the state.
8. Who were among the young men selected?
Daniel 1:6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
9. What names were given to them?
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.
10. What purpose did Daniel form?
Daniel 1:8 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.
Daniel’s purpose to not defile himself with the king’s meat (food) and the wine which he drank presents a very worthy example of temperance and self-control. How many of God’s professed people will partake of unhealthful foods and drinks to please their friends, or gratify their own tastes, instead of having a fixed purpose, as did Daniel, to glorify God! Daniel would please God by not defiling himself, even if he displeased the king and lost his life. He preferred to honor the God of heaven, though he disobeyed the mightiest monarch on earth. This is loyalty to God.
11. What request did he make?
Daniel 1:8 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.
12, How was Daniel regarded by the one in charge of them?
Daniel 1:9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
NOTE: Those who are loyal to God and faithful in their work, and
consistent in their course toward others, will find friends even in
kings’ courts, or wherever God’s providence places them.
13. What reply did he make to Daniel’s request?
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.
14. What trial did Daniel propose?
Daniel 1:11 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.
NOTE: ” KING’S MEAT ” (Pulse).—The ”king’s meat,” or food, would no doubt include many unhealthful articles and unclean flesh meats, and very likely some things that were offered to idols; hence loyalty to God would lead Daniel to refuse such food, and choose simply “pulse to eat and water to drink.” The literal meaning of the words here translated ” pulse,” according to ” Smith’s Bible Dictionary,” is seeds of any kind. It further says: ” Probably the term denotes uncooked grain of any•kind, whether barley, wheat, millet, vetches,” etc.
15. How was this proposition regarded by Melzar?
Dan 1:14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
16. What was the result of this test?
Daniel 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 king’s meat. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
NOTE: The better appearance of Daniel and his companions was probably not wholly due to the better food which they ate. It is evident that God’s special blessing was given them because of their devotion and loyalty to God,
17. What did God give to these children?
Daniel 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.
18. What special gift was bestowed upon Daniel?
Daniel 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.
19. When were they brought in before the king for examination?
Daniel 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. (Compare with verse 5)
20. How did they compare with the rest that were examined?
Daniel 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. 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. How were these Hebrew captives honored?
Daniel 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.
NOTE: To stand before the king was to occupy a position of honor and authority in the king’s court.
22. What is further said of Daniel?
Dan 1:21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
NOTE: We are not to infer by the expression in verse 21 that Daniel died in the first year of King Cyrus, but he continued in the king’s court as long as the Babylonian Kingdom ruled, even until it was overthrown by the Medes and Persians. See chapter 5.
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