Daniel 1:3-4 And the king spoke to Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel… I. THE HISTORY OF DANIEL'S FIRST APPEARANCE. — 1. It is evident that this lad had come in with the others when Nebuchadnezzar led home his captives from the smoking ruins of Jerusalem. 2. Suddenly comes a summons for this young Hebrew to take a position at court (vers. 3-5). Nebuchadnezzar appears to have determined to bring forward into his service some of this captive race. Quite likely his reasons were these:(1) He desired to gain the advantage of outside talent; the long siege had taught him the stubbornness, gifts, and availability of the Jewish character. (2) He planned to propitiate the whole race by choosing some of their number for high office; while so strong an element of his population was in a sort of sullen opposition to his government, there was always danger around the throne. (3) He wished to add the strange power of their divine inspiration to such forces of magic as he held under his control now (ver. 20). 3. The group of companions thus strangely thrown together has enough of picturesqueness in it, if nothing else, to attract attention. Only three besides Daniel are mentioned by name, but there were others associated in the transaction. It is always a serious moment when any young man is summoned to come to the front. Good men are often found in the unlikeliest places, even in our day. II. THE DESCRIPTION OF DANIEL'S PERSONAL ENDOWMENTS (ver. 4). 1. For one thing, he was finely fashioned in figure and stature. This makes us think how the Israelites once admired Saul, the son of Kish, when he came to the throne; and how the same wayward people afterwards went into rebellion with Absalom, won by his height and his hair. 2. He was nobly born. These all were to be "of the king's seed, and of the princes," when the selection was made. Some say that Daniel was a descendant of Hezekiah, concerning whose Sons it was once predicted that they should reign in Babylon. We need not reason much concerning birth or rank, for God's choice of us is all we can wish." 3. He was liberally educated. That counts grandly in the career of each young man; for knowledge is power. The Israelites were not an intellectual race, as a whole; most of the people were farmers, and had flocks and fields; it was an agricultural nation, rather than a scientific. But Daniel had been taught to study, and had learned to think. 4. He was religiously trained. Those old Jews made thorough and honest work of this part of their duty. Here our golden text comes in with all its power: "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word." 5. He was studious in taste. There is an expression in the narrative which is very significant (ver. 20). We are told that when in consultation with these Hebrew advisers, the king found them ten times better than his magicians and astrologers; the original word is "hands"; they were ten hands above them in wisdom and understanding; they were, hand over hand, superior to them in common-sense and, intelligence. 6. He was eminent in the Divine favour (ver. 17.) The Lord. even then was giving help from heaven to this young man for his calling. III. THE TEMPTATION TO WHICH DANIEL WAS SUBJECTED (vers. 5-7). 1. The king's plan was this: he designed to swerve these men out from the straight lines of traditional fidelity and belief, and commit them to the orthodox religion of his own country. (1) He adroitly caused their Hebrew names to be changed; from suggesting Jehovah's worship and service, they suggested the following of false gods and profane policies. (2) He proposed a distinct political aggrandizement; these captive slaves were to be admitted at court as the peers of the realm. (3) He offered them free education; they were to be instructed in the Chaldean language and lore. (4) He furnished them full support gratis; he actually descended into details; he "appointed" the portion of provisions, and of the wine he himself was accustomed to drink. 2. But the implied condition was this: the whole thing was an adroit ruse and a snare. It made at least four distinct pledges for an alienation of all that these young Hebrews cherished. (1) They should surrender their religion; (2) They should drift away from their national speech, history, and hope; (3) They should take part with the traditional oppressors of their fathers; (4) Worst, and fatallest, of all, they should enter upon the service of a religion of idolatry. IV. THE EXPEDIENT OF ESCAPE WHICH DANIEL PROPOSED, (vers. 8-14). 1. Observe carefully what Daniel did not do. He did not decline the chance given him for conspicuous service. He only avoided the embarrassing conditions attached to it. He was willing to be useful, if so splendid an opportunity was offered him; but he would not peril his convictions, nor sacrifice his principles. No young man has any right to refuse an opening in life that is advantageous; he must just accept the gift which in the providence of God comes to him, and then consecrate it to the service of God and his fellow-men. 2. Observe the devoutness and trust of the piety these young Hebrews exhibited. 3. Finally, observe the superb success these young men achieved. The ten days passed; they were "fairer and fatter." But there were now three years more before they should come before the king; and still they trusted God.. "It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth." (C. S. Robinson, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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; |
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