Daniel 1

King James Version

Full text for Daniel Chapter 1

1¶ In 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

In the third year of Jehoiakim's reign, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieged Jerusalem, and the Lord delivered King Jehoiakim and some temple vessels into his hand. The king then selected choice Israelite youths, including Daniel and his three companions, for three years of training in Chaldean learning and royal provisions. Daniel purposed not to defile himself with the king's meat and wine, requesting a diet of pulse and water instead. God blessed their faithfulness, granting them superior wisdom and knowledge, leading to their esteemed service before King Nebuchadnezzar.

Medium Summary

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, besieged Jerusalem, and the Lord allowed King Jehoiakim and a portion of the temple vessels to be taken to Babylon. The king commanded that select Israelite youths of noble birth, intelligent and without blemish, be brought for a three-year education in Chaldean language and wisdom, sustained by royal food and wine. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, who were given new Babylonian names. Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the king's provisions and, with God's favor, convinced the prince of the eunuchs to allow a ten-day trial of a simple diet of pulse and water for himself and his friends. After the trial, they appeared healthier than those on the royal diet, and thus continued their simple fare. God granted these four youths exceptional knowledge, skill, and wisdom, with Daniel also receiving understanding of visions and dreams. When presented to King Nebuchadnezzar, they were found ten times wiser than all the kingdom's magicians and astrologers, securing their positions in the king's service.

Long Summary

The chapter begins with Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, besieging Jerusalem in the third year of Jehoiakim's reign, and the Lord delivering King Jehoiakim and a portion of the temple vessels into his hand. These vessels were carried to the land of Shinar, to the house of Nebuchadnezzar's god, and placed in its treasure house. The king then instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to select certain young men from the children of Israel, specifically from the royal lineage and princes. These chosen youths were to be without physical blemish, well-favored, and possess skill in all wisdom, cunning in knowledge, and understanding of science, with the ability to serve in the king's palace. Their training was to last three years, during which they would learn the language and literature of the Chaldeans, sustained by a daily provision of the king's own meat and wine. Among these selected youths were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, who were all from the tribe of Judah. The prince of the eunuchs bestowed new Babylonian names upon them: Daniel became Belteshazzar, Hananiah became Shadrach, Mishael became Meshach, and Azariah became Abednego. However, Daniel firmly resolved in his heart not to defile himself with the king's rich food or wine, and he sought permission from the prince of the eunuchs to abstain. God had granted Daniel favor and tender love with the prince, who, despite his concern for the king's potential displeasure if the youths appeared unwell, allowed Daniel's request. Daniel then proposed a ten-day trial to Melzar, the overseer, suggesting they be given only pulse to eat and water to drink, and then their countenances be compared to those who ate the king's provisions. Melzar consented, and after ten days, Daniel and his companions appeared fairer and healthier than all the other youths on the royal diet. As a result, Melzar continued to provide them with pulse. God bestowed upon these four youths exceptional knowledge, skill in all learning, and wisdom, and Daniel, in particular, was granted understanding in all visions and dreams. At the conclusion of their three-year training, they were presented before King Nebuchadnezzar. The king conversed with them and found none among all the youths like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, thus they were appointed to stand before him. In all matters of wisdom and understanding, the king found them ten times superior to all the magicians and astrologers in his entire realm. The chapter concludes by noting Daniel's continued service until the first year of King Cyrus.

Core Concepts

  • Divine Sovereignty in CaptivityThe Lord's act of delivering King Jehoiakim and temple vessels into Nebuchadnezzar's hand demonstrates God's ultimate control over nations and the unfolding of the Babylonian captivity, even amidst foreign conquest.
  • Cultural Assimilation EffortsNebuchadnezzar's program to select and train Israelite youths in Chaldean language, literature, and customs, including giving them new Babylonian names, represents a deliberate effort to assimilate them into Babylonian culture.
  • Dietary Purity and FaithfulnessDaniel's resolute decision not to defile himself with the king's rich food and wine, opting instead for a simple diet of pulse and water, highlights his commitment to maintaining ritual purity and faithfulness to God's commands.
  • God's Favor and BlessingGod granted Daniel favor with the prince of the eunuchs, enabling his request for a different diet. Subsequently, God blessed Daniel and his companions with superior knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, surpassing their peers.
  • Superior Wisdom and DiscernmentDespite their simple diet, Daniel and his three friends were endowed by God with wisdom and understanding found to be ten times greater than that of all the Chaldean magicians and astrologers, showcasing divine power over worldly knowledge.
  • Integrity in ExileDaniel and his companions maintained their integrity and religious principles even while serving in a foreign, pagan court, demonstrating that faithfulness to God can be upheld in challenging circumstances.