Daniel 1:11-16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 1:8-16

We observe here, very much to our satisfaction, I. That Daniel was a favourite with the prince of the eunuchs (Dan. 1:9), as Joseph was with the keeper of the prison; he had a tender love for him. No doubt Daniel deserved it, and recommended himself by his ingenuity and sweetness of temper (he was greatly beloved, Dan. 9:23); and yet it is said here that it was God that brought him into favour with the prince of the eunuchs, for every one does not meet with acceptance according to his merits.... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:11

Then said Daniel to Melzar - Melzar was an officer under Ashpenaz, whose office it was to attend to the food, clothing, etc., of these royal captives. Others think מלצר meltsar , master of the inn or hotel, the name of an office. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:12

Give us pulse to eat - הזרעים hazzeraim , seeds or grain, such as barley, wheat, rye, and peas, etc. Though a vegetable diet might have produced that healthiness of the system in general, and of the countenance particularly, as mentioned here; yet we are to understand that there was an especial blessing of God in this, because this spare diet was taken on a religious account. 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

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