Daniel 1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:10

Verse 10 Daniel suffers a repulse from the prefect; and truly, as I have lately remarked, his humanity is not praised through his listening to Daniel’s wish and prayer; but through his burying in silence whatever might have brought him into difficulties. And his friendship appears in this; for although he denies his request, yet he does so mildly and civilly, as if he had said he would willingly grant it unless he had feared the king’s anger. This, therefore, is the meaning, — the prefect,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:11

Verse 11 Since Daniel understood from the answer of the prefect that he could not obtain his wish, he now addresses his servant. For the prefect had many servants under him, according to the custom of important stewardships. Most probably the steward’s duty was similar to that of the Chief Steward of the Household, (93) as it exists at this time in France. Daniel and his companions were under the care of one of these servants; Daniel descends to this remedy and obtains his wish, though, as we... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:15

Verse 15 Now this surprising event took place, — Daniel contracted neither leanness nor debility from that mean food, but his face was as shirting as if he had continued to feed most delicately; hence we gather as I have already said, that he was divinely impelled to persist firmly in his own design, and not to pollute himself with the royal diet. God, therefore, testified by the result that he had advised Daniel and his companions in this their prayer and proposal. It is clear enough that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:16

Verse 16 After Melsar saw it possible to gratify Daniel and his companions without danger and promote his own profit, he was humane and easily dealt with, and had no need of long disputation. For an intervening obstacle often deters us from the pursuit of gain, and we forbear to seek what we very much crave when it requires oppressive labor; but when our profit is at hand, and we are freed from all danger, then every one naturally pursues it. We see, then, what Daniel means in this verse,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:17

Verse 17 The Prophet here shows what we have already touched upon, how his authority was acquired for exercising the prophetic office with greater advantage. He ought to be distinguished by fixed marks, that the Jews first, and foreigners afterwards, might acknowledge him to be endued with the prophetic spirit. But a portion of this favor was shared with his three companions; yet he excelled them all, because God fitted him specially for his office. Here the end is to be noticed, because it... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:18

Verse 18 Now, Daniel relates how he and his companions were brought forward at a fixed time, since three years was appointed by the king for their instruction in all the science of the Chaldees and on that account the prefect of the eunuchs produces them. He shews how he and his companions were approved by the king, and were preferred to all the rest. By these words he confirms my remark, that the Lord through a long interval had adorned them with much favor, by rendering them conspicuous... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:21

Verse 21 Expositors are puzzled with this verse, because, as we shall afterwards see, the Vision occurred to Daniel in the third year of Cyrus’s reign. Some explain the word היה, haiah, by to be “broken;” but this is by no means in accordance with the history. Their opinion is right who say that Daniel continued to the first year of the reign of Cyrus in the discharge of the prophetic office, although expositors do not openly say so; but I state openly what they say obscurely. For since he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:1

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim King of Judah . After the defeat and death of Josiah, the people of the land put on the throne Jehoahaz, or Shallum ( Jeremiah 22:11 ), one of the sons of their late monarch ( 2 Kings 23:30 ). We see, by comparing 2 Kings 23:31 with 2 Kings 23:36 , that in taking Jehoahaz to be their king they had passed over the law of primogeniture. The reason of this would not unlikely be that he represented the policy of his father Josiah, which may... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:1-2

National retribution. I. HE WHO KNOWS NOTHING OF GOD MAY BE THE UNCONSCIOUS INSTRUMENT OF THE DIVINE WILL . Nebuchadnezzar, who has never heard of the Hebrew prophecies, fulfils their solemn predictions. This throws some light on God's providential relations to evil. 1 . The motives which prompt a bad man to an action may be different from the motives which incline God to permit it. God may permit the action of selfish cruelty because he sees it will issue... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:1-2

Decadence of Israel. I. THE TREMENDOUS RESPONSIBILITY LODGED IN KINGS . We sometimes speak of Oriental monarchs as holding an irresponsible sceptre, by which we simply mean that there is no earthly tribunal before which they can be cited; yet, in reality, they are the appointed guardians of a nation's well-being, and are responsible to the supreme Sovereign of heaven. The morals, the religion, the temper, the habits of a monarch have always been eminently contagious. Evil results... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:10

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:1-2

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