Daniel 1:19

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 1:17-21

Concerning Daniel and his fellows we have here, I. Their great attainments in learning, Dan. 1:17. They were very sober and diligent, and studied hard; and we may suppose their tutors, finding them of an uncommon capacity, took a great deal of pains with them, but, after all, their achievements are ascribed to God only. It was he that gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; for every good and perfect gift is from above, from the Father of the lights. It is the Lord our God... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:19

And among them all - All the young noble captives from different nations. Therefore stood they before the king - It appears that only four were wanting. 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 1:19

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

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 1:18-20

Daniel 1:18-20. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in At the end of three years, see Daniel 1:5, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in According to the king’s command. And the king communed with them To try their proficiency. This shows the king’s ability and judgment, without which he could not have discerned their fitness for his service, and their excellence above others. He examined all candidates that applied, and preferred those that... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:1-21

1:1-6:28 STORIES ABOUT DANIEL AND HIS FRIENDSTraining for Nebuchadnezzar’s court (1:1-21)Babylon’s first attack on Jerusalem came in 605 BC, during the reign of the Judean king Jehoiakim. In keeping with the usual practice among conquerors in ancient times, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar plundered the temple of the conquered people, carried off its sacred objects and placed them in his own temple. In this way Nebuchadnezzar demonstrated his belief that Babylon’s gods were superior to the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Daniel 1:19

19. stood . . . before the king—that is, were advanced to a position of favor near the throne. read more

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