The book of Ezekiel left the affairs of Jerusalem under a doleful aspect, all in ruins, but with a joyful prospect of all in glory again. This of Daniel fitly follows.

We have in these verses an account, I. Of the first descent which Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, in the first year of his reign, made upon Judah and Jerusalem, in the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, and his success in that expedition : He besieged Jerusalem, soon made himself master of it,…

We observe here, very much to our satisfaction, I. That Daniel was a favourite with the prince of the eunuchs , as Joseph was with the keeper of the prison; he had a tender love for him.

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…