THE BOOK OF DANIEL THE ARGUMENT IN Daniel and his prophecy, observe these things for the better understanding of this book, and the mind of God in it: 1.

Comparing this with 2 Kings 24:1, and with 2 Chron. 36:6, the meaning is, after the Lord had taken away that good king Josiah for the sins of Judah and Manasseh, which were very great, by Pharaoh-necho king of Egypt, the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king; he…

In this expedition Nebuchadnezzar carried away some of the vessels of the temple, and some captives, among whom was Daniel and his friends. These vessels he carried into the house of his god; which god was Baal or Bel, and Nebo, Isa.

These here called eunuchs were chief among the king’s servants, and they are called eunuchs because many of them were such of old among all the princes of the East, and at this day, but they were not all such, Jer. 52:25. The word translated eunuch signifies also chamberlain; such was Hatach, Est.

If the princes are so curious in their choice, no marvel that God was cautious in his, Lev. 21:17–21, Lev. 22:20–25. The reason why they were so delicately trained up was, that they being in the flower of their age should be allured with the delights of the court, and should: thereby be brought to…

Of the king’s meat; such as he had at his own table, wherein his bounty and humanity appeared towards them the more conspicuous, they being captives. By this preparation they were judged fit to stand before the king. Men of ingenuity and proficiency are fit to stand before kings, Prov. 22:29.

Doubtless most of them of the royal lineage of Judah, to which tribe God had a special respect, upon the account of David; and this tribe of Judah had the pre-eminence in many things.

Names; that is, other names: this was done by the subtle instigation of Satan, that they might renounce their names received in circumcision, by assuming names imposed relating to the idol gods, being a profanation and a further degree of their apostacy; for Daniel had the name of Belteshazzar, or…

There may be several weighty reasons assigned why Daniel did this. 1. Because many of those meats provided for the king’s table were such as were forbidden by the Jews’ law, whereof Daniel made conscience, 2.

This is a special act of God’s favour to his afflicted people, to give them any favour in the eyes of them that do afflict them; Ps. 106:46, He made them to be pitied of those that carried them captive. This is the effect of sincere holiness and innocence, Prov. 16:7.

He believed their countenances would betray them; and the king having appointed it, he dares not disobey, for his life lay at stake.

By these words Daniel secures Melzar against fear and danger, only by ten days’ trial; which was a fair and reasonable proffer. Thus the servants of God must carefully do, when they have good offices done them by the servants of princes, as Elijah was careful of good Obadiah, 1 Kings 18:11–12, to…

There be three things here to be observed. 1. The hand of God, in persuading Melzar to incline to Daniel’s request. 2. The goodness of God, to make good Daniel’s words. 3.

Which he could not but take well, for hereby he gained the costly provision of four men for the space of three years to his own use and profit. Hence observe that courtiers are no losers by the favours they procure for God’s servants.

We must own knowledge, and skill, and wisdom to come from God, James 1:5. These are beams of light shining in us from the Father of lights, and a man can receive nothing of this unless it be given him from above, John 3:27. Object.

At the three years’ end, according to the king’s command, which Melzar punctually observed, and brought them in before the king.

Communed with them, i.e. to try their proficiency: this argues the king’s ability and judgment, how else could he discern their fitness and their excellency above others? He examined all candidates, he preferred those that outstripped others.

This is a further confirmation of the king’s noble endowments of mind, and of his great care whom he chose to be in offices of trust; namely, persons excellently qualified to serve him in the great affairs of the kingdom, not to serve his lusts by them for base jobs, for which men of no abilities…

i.e. In the court of Babylon until Cyrus, and then he was in the Persian court, and he lived in honour and high employment all that time, yea, after Cyrus began to reign; for, Dan. 10:1, he had visions and revelations in the third year of Cyrus.