daniel-1:3-21-nvi

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:10

And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king ,.... This he said, not as refusing and denying the request of Daniel; but as hesitating about it, divided in his own mind, between love and tenderness to Daniel, and fear of the king: it is as if he should say, I could freely out of respect to you grant you your request; were it not for duty to my lord the king, reverence of him, and especially fear of his wrath and displeasure: who hath appointed your meat and your... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:11

Then said Daniel to Melzar ,.... The prince of the eunuchs, having put off Daniel with the above answer, seems to have left him; or, however, Daniel, finding he could not obtain of him what he sought for, applies to Melzar, a subordinate officer, whom he hoped to find more pliable; and it may be that Ashpenaz might suggest it to him to apply to this person, and signify that if he could prevail upon him to give him other food instead of the king's; who might be under a temptation from profit,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:12

Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days , Here Daniel manifestly includes his companions, and makes his request for himself and them; desiring that they might be tried ten days with different sort of food and drink, and see whether any alteration would be made in them for the worse; which was a proper time for such a trial; for in that time it might be reasonably supposed that their food, if it had any bad effect on them, would appear. Saadiah makes these ten days to be the days between... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:13

Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee ,.... And be thoroughly examined, whether any alteration is made therein for the worse: and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat ; who were either Chaldean youths brought up in this manner; or rather young men of the Jews, who were not so scrupulous as Daniel and his companions, and made no objection to eating the king's food; let their countenances and ours be compared together: and as thou... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:14

So he consented to them in all this matter ,.... Or, "hearkened to them" F5 וישמע להם "auscultans eis", Junius & Tremellius, Broughtonus; "auscultavit eis", Pisator, Cocceius. ; being convinced that it was a very reasonable request, and the matter was fairly put; and especially as he saw, if it succeeded to their wish, it would be to his profit; since the meat and drink of these four persons would be his perquisite, and fetch him money; pulse and water being to be obtained at... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:15

And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer, and fatter in flesh ,.... At the time fixed for the trial of them, when they came to be examined, they appeared to be of a better complexion, and a more healthful look, and even plumper and fatter, with good solid flesh, and not swelled up as persons in a dropsy: than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat : who appeared at the same time, and were compared with them, being under the care of the same... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:16

Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat ,.... To himself, as the Syriac version adds; he took and carried it to his own family, and made use of it himself; and the portion of four such young gentlemen, maintained at the king's expense, and who had their provision from his table, must be, especially in the course of three years, of great advantage to this man and his family; for this was continued, as the word signifies, and may be rendered, "and Melzar was taking away &c.;" F6 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:17

As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom ,.... As they prospered in their bodies, they succeeded in their studies, and improved in their minds, and became great proficients in all kind of lawful and useful knowledge; not owing so much to their own sagacity and diligence, and the goodness and ability of their teachers, as to the blessing of God on their instructions and studies; for, as all natural, so all acquired parts are to be ascribed to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:18

Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in,.... That is, at the end of three years; which was the time appointed for their education, and when they were to be brought before the king for his examination and approbation: then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar ; even all the young men that were taken from among the children of Israel and Judah, as well as the four children before and after mentioned, appears by what follows. This... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:19

And the king communed with them ,.... He asked them several questions upon the several articles of literature in which they had been educated, to try and see what proficiency they had made; he discoursed with them on various topics of learning, that he might be able to form a judgment of them, and of their capacities, and what employments under him they would be most fit for, and capable of. This shows that the king was a man of learning and good sense, as well as prudence, to be capable of... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:19

Group of Brands