Daniel 1:17-20

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:3-21

Training for imperial office and work. The name and the nature of a king are not always yoked together. Jehoiakim had been professedly a king, but was, in truth, a slave. Daniel and his companions, though led into exile as captives, had within them kingly qualities, which could not be degraded by strangers. As living water from the flinty rock will rise through every kind of strata, and find its way to the surface, so, through all adversities, innate nobleness will assert its imperial... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:5-21

Moral heroism. "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself" (verse 8). I. THE VARYING CONDITIONS OF IMMORTALITY . The reference is to subjective immortality, i.e. in the memories of men. The principal stable condition seems to be the possession of soul-power (see Luke 1:80 ; Luke 2:40 ). But this may develop itself: 1 . Evilly. The immortality then is one of infamy. 2 . Continuously ; e.g. Daniel, through a long life. 3 . Specially... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:17

As for these four children, God gave them knewledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Or, as the words might be more accurately rendered, "these lads, the four of them" ( Ezekiel 1:8-10 ). This indicates that somehow they were separated off into a quaternion. In Ezekiel, where a similar phrase occurs, the four cherubim form a quaternion in a very special way. As we have already seen, the Assyrians in a feast arranged the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:18

Now at the end of the clays that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. The Septuagint Version here is shorter and simpler: "After these days the king commanded to bring them in, and they were brought in by the prince of the eunuchs." The only difference is that הַאֵלֶה ( haayleh ) is read instead of אֲשֶׁר ( 'asher ), and the maqqeph dropped. Theodotion is in close accordance with the Massoretic text.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:19

And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azarish: therefore stood they before the king. The word translated "communed" really means "spake," and is the common word for this. The Septuagint translates here ὥμίλησεν , which does mean "commune." Theodotion renders ἐλάλησε . Jerome has locutus ; the Peshitta has malel ; all these may be rendered "talked." From Nebuchadnezzar's great reverence for the national religion... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:20

And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. The Septuagint rendering here has a considerable addition, which really means, as it seems to us, the coalescence of two readings. It reads thus: "And in all learning ( λόγῳ , a literal rendering of דָבָר , dabhar , 'a word' or 'thing'), and knowledge and education ( παιδείᾳ ) whatsoever the king... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 1:17

As for these four children - On the word “children,” see the notes at Daniel 1:4. Compare Daniel 1:6.God gave them knowledge and skill - See the notes at Daniel 1:9. There is no reason to suppose that in the “knowledge and skill” here referred to, it is meant to be implied that there was anything miraculous, or that there was any direct inspiration. Inspiration was evidently confined to Daniel, and pertained to what is spoken of under the head of “visions and dreams.” The fact that “all” this... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 1:18

Now at the end of the days ... - After three years. See Daniel 1:5.The prince of the eunuchs brought them in - Daniel, his three friends, and the others who had been selected and trained for the same purpose. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 1:19

And the king communed with them - Hebrew, “spake with them.” Probably he conversed with them on the points which had constituted the principal subjects of their studies; or he “examined” them. It is easy to imagine that this must have been to these young men a severe ordeal.And among them all was found none like Daniel ... - Daniel and his three friends had pursued a course of strict temperance; they had come to their daily task with clear heads and pure hearts - free from the oppression and... read more

Group of Brands