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Summary

Daniel 1:1–7 – Exile and selection

What happens: Nebuchadnezzar takes Jerusalem and brings temple vessels and nobles to Babylon. The king orders select youths, including Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, to be trained for royal service. Officials give them Babylonian names.

What it means: God allows Judah’s defeat, which shows his justice and sovereignty over nations. Even in exile, God positions his people for influence, revealing his wise providence. Human power seems dominant, yet God still directs history.

Daniel 1:8–16 – Daniel’s resolve and the test

What happens: Daniel resolves not to defile himself with the royal food and wine. He asks for a trial of vegetables and water. After ten days, he and his friends look healthier than the others, so the steward continues their diet.

What it means: Holy conviction guides Daniel in a hostile culture. God honors faithful obedience with visible favor. The theme of holiness in exile shows that purity and wisdom can coexist with courage and respect.

Daniel 1:17–21 – God’s gifts and royal service

What happens: God gives the four youths knowledge and skill, and Daniel receives understanding in visions and dreams. The king finds them ten times wiser than all the magicians. They serve until the first year of Cyrus.

What it means: Wisdom comes from God, not from empire. God equips his servants to stand out for his purposes. His faithfulness endures across kings and years, pointing to his rule over time and rulers.

Application

  • Resolve to honor God before the pressure comes.
  • Ask God for wisdom and favor in difficult settings.
  • Practice holiness with humility and respect toward authority.

Bible

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 with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.

20And 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.

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

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