Peace and blessings and welcome to BibleStudyMinistry.com – today we are beginning a study of the book of the prophet Daniel as part of our chapter studies. Daniel is a fascinating book on historical content, and more vital to the book, future prophecy is outlined in large scale here.

Chapter Study on Daniel Chapter 1

Scriptures below with commenting in parentheses

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.

[Just three  years into his reign, jehoiakim, a king of Judah was captured and his government as well by Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar. The treasures of the house of God were also taken to Babylon as well.]

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;

[Certain children of Israel were selected by Nebuchadnezzar’s cabinet to be in his house. They chose many of the royal seed of Judah, and the wise and intellectuals of the house of Israel. For what?]

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.

[The Chaldeans wanted the best of the children of Israel, who were handsome and healthy, skillful in all wisdom, sharp with knowledge, understood sciences, and they were selected to learn the language 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.

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.

Daniel Chapter 1 – God Shows Favor to Daniel

[Captives usually do not get to pick and choose what they want, but Daniel had favour given by God on him. Daniel wanted avoid the king’s meat and wine, and chose a vegan type of diet instead.]

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.

[Reasoning together is a missed art, but those skillful in wisdom know how to do this tactfully.]

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.

[Avoiding meat is not bad for you!]

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.

[God gave these four in particular, knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom. God also gave Daniel the ability to understand visions and dreams, which is an amazing God given ability.]

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.

[The mentality of capturing a people is to use them for labor in general, but to take the choicest of the people to add to the kingdom of the captor.]

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 it came to wisdom and understanding in all manners, King Nebuchadnezzar found Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah ten times better than everyone he had in his realm. These captured Jews were better than the king’s magicians, astrologers, priest, and so forth! This tells us a lot; not all Jews disobedient ignorant men and women. Many were exceedingly intelligent, and feared God and kept His commandments. Therefore, God did and will punish a nation for the misbehaving of a majority of the people.]

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

Peace and many blessings to you. Join us for chapter two next, and thank you for studying Daniel Chapter 1 with us, and we invite you to invite people to study with us and we all grow and learn God’s Word living better today while preparing for eternal life tomorrow. Peace in Jesus name.

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