An Outline Study of the Book Of Daniel

Daniel Notes - Chapter 1

I. Verses 1-2 "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."

1. Vs. 1: In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim (606 BC) Jerusalem was besieged. After three years of being a puppet government, Jehoiakim rebelled against Babylonian rule and God allowed the city to be taken captive to Babylon. All the vessels of the house of God were taken as well. Contrast the time counting here with Jer. 25:1. Daniel’s record being written from Babylon reckons time in that style. Whereas Jeremiah counts time Hebrew style which counted the entire year, even if only a fraction of it was involved. Thus if an event spanned three full calendar years and part of another it was reckoned as four years.

2. Vs. 2: Jehoiachin, the son of Jehoiakim, was allowed to reign in his father’s place. This was a puppet government that lasted three months. Later Nebuchadnezzar carried away Jehoiachin and replaced him by his father’s brother, Zedekiah. (597 BC)

3. Vs. 2: For accounts of Judah’s history just before the period of Babylonian captivity, see II Chron 36:5-8 and II Kings 24:1-20.

4. Vs. 2: Regarding the vessels of the house of God, see Isa 39:1-8 and II Kings 20:12-19. Hezekiah (728-695 BC) showed these vessels to Babylonians which gave them the eventual idea to steal them.

II. Verses 3-4 "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 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."

1. Vs. 3: Eunuchs were often slaves assigned the care of women, thus requiring them to frequent the presence of women. This is why they were made eunuchs.

2. Vs. 4: It seems that in many ancient cultures the people who were to be in the king’s court or in his presence had to be of fair countenance or attractive appearance.

III. Verse 5-7 "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."

1. Vs. 7: Renaming captives or other individuals was common for eastern countries. See Gen. 41:45.

2. Vs. 7: Belteshazzar means one who Bel favors. Bel was a prominent pagan deity (See Isa. 46:1.) and seems to have been a favorite of Nebuchadnezzar. See also Dan. 4:8.

3. Vs. 7: Abednego means servant of Nebo, again referring to a pagan deity.

IV. Verse 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."

1. Vs. 8: Daniel was likely concerned about being defiled by unclean meats that were probably a part of the kings’ diet. See Lev. 11:47. However, this seems to be somewhat of a protest fast as well. See notes on verse 12.

2. Vs. 8: He may have also been concerned with the abuse of wine, assuming this was alcoholic wine.

V. Verse 9-15 "Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 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. 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."

1. Vs. 12: Daniel ate pulse, only vegetables. Some regard this as a partial fast of protest against the king’s requirement. Moses’ law would not have compelled him to refuse all meats, only unclean meats. This causes some to conclude Daniel’s total abstinence from meat was something of a protest.

2. Vs. 15: God caused him to prosper and fare well under this strict diet. Compare God blessing Daniel with Gen. 39:21 and Acts 7:9-10. On the idea of God blessing Daniel in the presence of his enemies, note Prov. 16:7.

VI. Verse 16-21 "Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 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 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. 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 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus."

1. Vs. 17-20: God’s people excelled ten times more than the others. The notion of ten fold is likely a figure of speech, even a hyperbole. Compare with Gen. 31:7, 41, Num. 14:22, Neh. 4:12, Job 19:3 on this figure of speech. The idea is that God’s people far excelled the others in their development.

2. Vs. 18: The end of the days was a three year period. See Dan. 1:5.

3. Vs. 20: The magicians, soothsayers, etc. were ones who specialized in various aspects of the occult arts. Each title may represent a particular branch of the occult, but not necessarily.

4. Vs. 21: Cyrus is mentioned elsewhere in Daniel and other scriptures. Note especially Dan. 10:1, Isa. 45:1 and II Chron. 36:22-23. He overthrew Babylon in about 536 BC.