Daniel Chapter 1

Verse 1

This siege against Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, took place in the year 605 BC.

Taking a city by siege was a cruel and brutal affair. The conquering armies would surround the city, cutting off all means of escape or supply, and then starve the inhabitants into submission. The inhabitants resisted as long as possible, knowing the fate that awaited them. When the city fell, it was plundered and the people molested, tortured and killed (Lamentations 5:10-12, Ezekiel 23:24-26). Often the survivors were taken away captive to a foreign land. They were tied together neck to neck (Isaiah 52:2), and were made to shuffle along in shackles to the land of their exile. Many died during this ordeal.

Daniel was a young man, about 18 years old when Jerusalem was taken. Imagine what it would be like to see your hometown besieged, and your family, neighbors and friends brutalized and killed. Imagine being taken captive to a foreign land, never to see your home again. He was shackled and tied by the neck to the other captives, and then taken on a forced march for a thousand miles to Babylon. The trip would have taken many months. Upon their arrival in Babylon, they were paraded before the populace as trophies of King Nebuchadnezzar’s conquest.

Verse 2

Here Daniel attributes Judah’s defeat and captivity to the Lord. Why would God allow His chosen people to be treated thus by a heathen nation? We find the answer in the history of Israel and Judah.

Centuries before, God had delivered Israel from Egypt and covenanted with them to be His special people (Exodus 19:3-8). But their history was one of continual backsliding and apostasy (Psalm 106:35-43). Moses, under inspiration, had warned them of the consequences of turning away from God (Deuteronomy 28:15,47-52). But they continued to rebel (Jeremiah 4:22) until God finally gave them over to Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 25:1-11). The siege in which Daniel was taken captive was the first of three separate campaigns against Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar, each one more severe than the previous. In spite of God’s warnings to not resist this punishment at the hand of the Babylonians, they continued to rebel until Nebuchadnezzar finally destroyed Jerusalem completely and left the land desolate (2 Chronicles 36:5-21).

Daniel knew Israel’s history, and he recognized the fulfillment of God’s Word in this siege of Jerusalem. God was still in control, and He was allowing these tragic events to lead His people to repentance (Jeremiah 29:10-14). Here we are introduced to one of the main themes of the book of Daniel. God is in control of this world. Men and nations may rebel against Him and fight against His word, but through it all God patiently works out His will, and seeks to save even the rebellious.

And the Lord gave . . . into [Nebuchadnezzar’s] hand . . . some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god. – Judah had turned from the worship of the true God, and so God allowed the Babylonians to take some of the sacred vessels of the temple. However, king Nebuchadnezzar attributed his success to his own god, and placed these articles in the treasure house of his god, Marduk.

The land of Shinar – Shinar is another name for Babylon. Babylon’s beginnings can be traced all the way back to Nimrod (Genesis 10:8-10) and the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). Because of Babylon’s history and background, she has come to signify rebellion against God.

Verses 3 - 6

Daniel and his three friends were among those chosen to serve in the king’s palace (vs. 6). They were of royal descent (vs. 3), good-looking, without blemish, capable and intelligent (vs. 4). They were placed under Ashpenaz, the master of the eunuchs (vs. 3, see also vs. 11). As foretold by God hundreds of years before, these young men were made eunuchs (Isaiah 39:1-7). Consider how devastating it would have been to these young men to be emasculated while yet in their teens.

Nebuchadnezzar then assigned them to the Chaldeans for training. The Chaldeans were the elite class of Babylon, the best educated, and it was their job to pass on the wisdom and traditions of the Babylonians to the next generation. It was Nebuchadnezzar’s intent to brainwash these young men by having them study Babylonian religion, culture, philosophy and language.

Verse 7

In ancient times, names were of great significance. The original Hebrew names of these young men acknowledged the true God they served.

Daniel means “God is my judge.”

Hananiah means “Yahweh is gracious.”

Mishael means “Who is what God is?”

Azariah means “Yahweh helps.”

In an effort to change their identity and encourage them to forget their religion and heritage, they were given new names that honored the Babylonian deities. (SOP 1)

Daniel was named Belteshazzar, which means “May Bel protect.”

(Bel was the popular name for Babylon’s chief god, Marduk.)

Hananiah was named Shadrach, which may mean “Illumined by the Sun” or

“Worship of the Moon.” (The exact meaning is uncertain.)

Mishael was changed to Meshach, which means “One who is like Shach.”

(Shach was the moon god.)

Azariah was changed to Abed-Nego, which means “Servant of Nego.”

(In Chaldean, Nego is connected with the name “Lucifer.”)

These new names indicated new ownership as well as a new allegiance. No doubt Nebuchadnezzar hoped that by cutting them off from their homes and culture and religion, they would assimilate with the Babylonians and their gods, and forget everything that made the Hebrews unique. (SOP 2)

But these Hebrew youth never recognized the superiority of the Babylonian gods, and they continued to use their Hebrew names instead of their new Babylonian names (see Daniel 7:28; 8:1,15,27; 10:2,7).

Verse 5a

Nebuchadnezzar also tried to influence these young men by changing their diet. And so he commanded that they eat and drink from his own royal table. But the king’s diet presented several problems for these Hebrew youth. Notice the following about Babylon’s food and drink:

1) Some of the meats were unclean. The gentile nations ate swine’s flesh and also mice (Isaiah 66:17), but God forbade His people to do so (Deuteronomy 14:6-8). (SOP 3)

2) The meats were not prepared according to the law of Moses, with the blood and fat removed (Leviticus 3:17, 7:26,27, 17:14, Acts 15:29). It was customary for the gentiles to eat the blood and fat of animals.

3) A portion of the meat had been offered to idols (see 1 Corinthians 8). (SOP 4)

4) On the king’s table were to be found delicacies that God had forbidden (Proverbs 23:1-3).

5) The king’s drink included alcoholic beverages, which God’s word had forbidden (Proverbs 20:1, 23:29-35). They undoubtedly knew the story of Nadab and Abihu and understood the effect that wine had exerted on them (Leviticus 10:1,2,8-10).

6) Daniel and his friends knew that their physical habits were closely linked with their mental and spiritual welfare (Isaiah 5:20-23). (SOP 5, 6)

The king’s command put Daniel and his three friends in a great dilemma. If they ate the royal food they would be disobeying God. But if they refused, it could cost them their lives. And after all they already had been through, it would have been easy to become discouraged and question God’s leading. Or they could have compromised their principles, and then rationalized them all away. But they did not.

Verse 8a

Daniel “made up his mind” to stand for God and obey His word without regard to the consequences. His courageous stand no doubt influenced his three friends to make the same decision, and to stand together with him. It was this initial decision to stand for the right even in the “little” things that brought God’s blessings, and prepared them to stand when the great test came later in their experience (Chapters 3 and 6).

This lesson is for us. In the near future, we are all facing a great final test that will determine our eternal destiny. And whether or not we will pass this final test is being decided right now, by our daily decisions to obey or disobey God in the “little” things of life. Remember that obedience always brings God’s blessing, and also builds a character that will stand when tested.

Daniel and his three friends weren’t the only Hebrews present on this occasion (see verse 6). But the others apparently compromised their faith and partook of the king’s food and drink. It is significant that there is no further mention of the other Hebrews in the book of Daniel.

What was the background of Daniel and his friends, which influenced them to stand so nobly for God? They were born at the time of the great reform of King Josiah, the boy king (2 Kings 22, 23:1-25). For most of the nation this reform didn’t last very long. But the parents of these Hebrew youth no doubt remained faithful to God, and trained their boys to love and serve God and to obey His word. This childhood training bore fruit when they remained loyal to God during their captivity in Babylon. (SOP 7)

Verse 8b

After making up his mind to follow God’s requirements, Daniel went to the chief of the eunuchs and politely asked that he might be allowed to not defile himself.

Verse 9

No doubt these young men were always courteous and wise in their deportment, even when treated poorly. This would have caused them stand out from among the other captives, and this is why “God brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.” (SOP 8)

They also guarded their association with the other captives. They did not choose as companions those who would try to persuade them to compromise, and go along with the other captives. (SOP 9)

Verse 10

The chief of the eunuchs treated Daniel’s request with respect. But he explained that he feared for his life should their appearance be affected by not eating the king’s diet.

Verses 11-14

When the chief of the eunuchs turned down his request, Daniel didn’t become discouraged or obstinate. Instead, he wisely asked the steward (Melzar) for a 10-day test. During that time they would eat a vegetarian diet (the original word translated as “vegetables” or “pulse” means food derived from plants, such as grains and legumes) and drink only water. At the end of that trial period, their appearances would be compared with those who ate the king’s food. Daniel then agreed to abide by the steward’s decision based on this test. The steward saw the wisdom of this request, and allowed them to eat the requested diet for 10 days.

Verses 15, 16

Almost immediately, their appearances began to change. They had arrived in Babylon emaciated and worn by their arduous journey, but under the simple, healthful diet they had requested, they soon appeared “better and fatter in flesh” than the other prisoners who were eating the king’s food. And so the steward allowed them to remain on their special diet.

Verse 17

Because of their faithfulness to God in diet, He blessed them in their studies and they excelled. Their brilliance and high grades were no accident. Because they remained faithful to God and followed His direction in diet, God was able to give them special blessing. This lesson is for us. When we are faithful to God and practice scriptural health principles, we may expect God’s blessing physically, mentally and spiritually. (SOP 10)

Notice also that these Hebrew youth remained uncorrupted, even while studying literature and science at a secular, heathen university. Everything they learned they must have compared with God’s word, and rejected anything that proved to be false. This shows that they remained close to God and His word throughout their studies, even under the rigors of gaining an education. (SOP 11)

Verses 18 - 21

Their final exam was oral, in the form of a personal interview with King Nebuchadnezzar. As he questioned them in every subject, he found them to be far advanced above all the other students. He even found their wisdom and understanding to be far superior to all the wise men of his realm. What a witness for God in the court of a heathen king! And so Nebuchadnezzar appointed them to positions as wise men in his realm.

Spirit of Prophecy Quotations

1 “The names of Daniel and his companions were changed to names representing Chaldean deities. Great significance was attached to the names given by Hebrew parents to their children. Often these stood for traits of character that the parent desired to see developed in the child. The prince in whose charge the captive youth were placed, "gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego."

“The king did not compel the Hebrew youth to renounce their faith in favor of idolatry, but he hoped to bring this about gradually. By giving them names significant of idolatry, by bringing them daily into close association with idolatrous customs, and under the influence of the seductive rites of heathen worship, he hoped to induce them to renounce the religion of their nation and to unite with the worship of the Babylonians.” – Prophets and Kings, pages 480, 481.

2 “Anciently the name of a child stood for his character, and the names given to these children were characteristic of what it was expected they would become. They were young in years, and this change in their names it was believed would make an impression on their minds. In a little while, it was hoped, their former religion would be forgotten, and they would become in character and purpose like the Chaldean youth about them.” – The Youth’s Instructor, October 29, 1907.

3 “Among the viands placed before the king were swine's flesh and other meats which were declared unclean by the law of Moses, and which the Hebrews had been expressly forbidden to eat. Here Daniel was brought to a severe test. Should he adhere to the teachings of his fathers concerning meats and drinks, and offend the king, and probably lose not only his position but his life? or should he disregard the commandment of the Lord, and retain the favor of the king, thus securing great intellectual advantages and the most flattering worldly prospects?

”Daniel did not long hesitate. He decided to stand firm in his integrity, let the result be what it might. He "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" (Dan. 1:8).

“There are many among professed Christians today who would decide that Daniel was too particular, and would pronounce him narrow and bigoted. They

consider the matter of eating and drinking as of too little consequence to require such a decided stand--one involving the probable sacrifice of every earthly advantage. But those who reason thus will find in the day of judgment that they turned from God's express requirements and set up their own opinion as a standard of right and wrong. They will find that what seemed to them unimportant was not so regarded of God. His requirements should be sacredly obeyed.” – The Sanctified Life, page 19.

4 “A second consideration with these youthful captives was the fact that the king, before eating, always asked the blessing of his gods upon the food. A portion of the food, and also of the wine from his table was set apart as an offering to the false gods who he worshipped. According to the religious ideas of the day, this act consecrated the whole to the heathen gods.

“Daniel and his three brethren thought that even if they should not actually partake of the king’s bounties, a mere pretense of eating the food or drinking the wine, where such idolatry was practiced, would be a denial of their faith. To do this would indeed be to implicate themselves with heathenism, and to dishonor the principles of the law of God. Daniel did not hesitate.” – The Youth’s Instructor, June 4, 1903.

5 “Anything that lessens physical strength enfeebles the mind, and makes it less capable of discriminating between right and wrong. We become less capable of choosing the good, and have less strength of will to do that which we know to be right.” – Counsels on Diet and Foods, pages 48, 49.

6 “What if Daniel and his companions had made a compromise with those heathen officers and had yielded to the pressure of the occasion by eating and drinking as was customary with the Babylonians? That single instance of departure from principle would have weakened their sense of right and their abhorrence of wrong. Indulgence of appetite would have involved the sacrifice of physical vigor, clearness of intellect, and spiritual power. One wrong step would probably have led to others, until, their connection with Heaven being severed, they would have been swept away by temptation.” – The Sanctified Life, page 23.

7 “Daniel and his associates had been trained by their parents to habits of strict temperance. They had been taught that God would hold them accountable for their capabilities, and that they must never dwarf or enfeeble their powers. This education was to Daniel and his companions the means of their preservation amidst the demoralizing influences of the court of Babylon. Strong were the temptations surrounding them in that corrupt and luxurious court, but they remained uncontaminated. No power, no influence, could sway them from the principles they had learned in early life by a study of the word and works of God.” – Prophets and Kings, page 482.

8 “This officer saw in Daniel good traits of character. He saw that he was striving to be kind and helpful, that his words were respectful and courteous, and his manner possessed the grace of modesty and meekness. It was the good behavior of the youth that gained for him the favor and love of the prince.” – The Youth’s Instructor, Nov. 12, 1907.

9 “Daniel and his companions . . . did not choose as companions those who were agents of the prince of darkness. They did not go with a multitude to do evil. They secured Melzar as their friend, and there was no friction between him and them. They went to him for advice, and at the same time enlightened him by the wisdom of their deportment.” – The Youth’s Instructor, Sept. 6, 1900.

10 “True success in any line of work is not the result of chance or accident or destiny. It is the outworking of God's providences, the reward of faith and discretion, of virtue and perseverance. Fine mental qualities and a high moral tone are not the result of accident. God gives opportunities; success depends upon the use made of them.

“While God was working in Daniel and his companions "to will and to do of His good pleasure," they were working out their own salvation. Philippians 2:13. Herein is revealed the outworking of the divine principle of co-operation, without which no true success can be attained. Human effort avails nothing without divine power; and without human endeavor, divine effort is with many of no avail. To make God's grace our own, we must act our part. His grace is given to work in us to will and to do, but never as a substitute for our effort.

“As the Lord co-operated with Daniel and his fellows, so He will co-operate with all who strive to do His will. And by the impartation of His Spirit He will strengthen every true purpose, every noble resolution. Those who walk in the path of obedience will encounter many hindrances. Strong, subtle influences may bind them to the world; but the Lord is able to render futile every agency that works for the defeat of His chosen ones; in His strength they may overcome every temptation, conquer every difficulty.” – Prophets and Kings, pages 486. 487.

11 “In acquiring the wisdom of the Babylonians, Daniel and his companions were far more successful than their fellow students; but their learning did not come by chance. They obtained their knowledge by the faithful use of their powers, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They placed themselves in connection with the Source of all wisdom, making the knowledge of God the foundation of their education. In faith they prayed for wisdom, and they lived their prayers. They placed themselves where God could bless them. They avoided that which would weaken their powers, and improved every opportunity to become intelligent in all lines of learning. They followed the rules of life that could not fail to give them strength of intellect. They sought to acquire knowledge for one purpose--that they might honor God. They realized that in order to stand as representatives of true religion amid the false religions of heathenism they must have clearness of intellect and must perfect a Christian character. And God Himself was their teacher. Constantly praying, conscientiously studying, keeping in touch with the Unseen, they walked with God as did Enoch.” – Prophets and Kings, page 486.