Daniel 2:20
King James Version
20 Daniel answered and said,
Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever:
for wisdom and might are his:
Who is Daniel?
What kind of prophet was he?
Why did he find favor with GOD?
It was prophesied that the sons of Israel would serve the king of Babylon.
Isaiah 39:5-7
King James Version
5 Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah,
Hear the word of the Lord of hosts:
6 Behold,
the days come,
that all that is in thine house,
and that which thy fathers have laid up in store
until this day,
shall be carried to Babylon:
nothing shall be left, saith the Lord.
7 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee,
which thou shalt beget,
shall they take away;
and they shall be eunuchs in the palace
of the king of Babylon.
That prophecy came true.
Daniel 1:1-3
King James Version
1 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.
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;
King Nebuchadnezzar had a requirement, for those who would stand before him:
Daniel 1:4
King James Version
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.
Mercifully, the king treated them well.
Daniel 1:5
King James Version
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.
These Jewish children were chosen to stand before the king:
Daniel 1:6
King James Version
6 Now among these
were of the children of Judah,
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
And were given new names:
Daniel 1:7
King James Version
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.
What was Daniel really like?
He was devoted to GOD, that's what.
He refused to be defiled by luxury.
Daniel 1:8
King James Version
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 chose to eat simply.
To the great agitation of the prince of eunuchs.
But Daniel was confident in the LORD.
Daniel 1:11-13
King James Version
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.
Daniel 1:14-16
King James Version
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.
GOD gave these children certain gifts.
Daniel 1:17
King James Version
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.
Which greatly pleased king Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel 1:19-20
King James Version
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.
Now, for the "troubling" verse which is of great significance.
Please head over to the next post.
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