Daniel 1 - The Food of The King

Daniel 1: The Food of The King

In 586 BCE, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered Jerusalem and took captive some of the people, including those of the royal family and the nobility, to be brought to Babylon.  

The vessels of the Jerusalem temples and the people were brought to Shinar, located in Mesopotamia, in the area that is now modern-day Iraq. Shinar was also location where the Tower of Babel was built.  (Genesis 11:1)

Some of the young exiles, including Daniel and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were ordered to be trained for 3 years in the Babylonian language and literature so that they could serve in the King's palace.

They were chosen from those in the royal family, of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace. (v4)

The King commanded that these young captives be given a daily portion of the king's food and wine. However, Daniel and his friends resolved not to defile themselves with the king's food and wine. We believe they were not kosher or were used for idol worship. 

They made a request to the chief of eunuch in charge of them to be allowed to eat only vegetables and drink only water. This is a dangerous thing to ask, for no one is to question what the king has instructed. The chief of eunuch refused at first, for he would be putting his neck on the chopping block (literally). However, Daniel appealed to test for 10 days if the vegetables will make them healthier than the rest.

"God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs" (v9) and they were given vegetables. After 10 days, they were better in appearance and fatter than all the youths who ate the king’s food. So, a vegetable diet was given to them for the 3 years in the pagan Babylon University. (v16) They were not only thought on knowledge, but also the culture and religions and gods of Babylon. 

Despite this, Daniel and his friends stay true to God and only worshipped Him. The Lord blessed Daniel and his friends with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, and as a result, they were found to be ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in the kingdom. Daniel also have the ability to interpret dreams and visions. 

Daniel had a long and prosperous life and died after the first year of King Cyrus. He was estimated to be 80 years old at this death.

These verses highlight the importance of maintaining one's faith and obedience to God, even in difficult circumstances and even risking their own lives. They also demonstrate the power of faith and prayer, as Daniel and his friends were blessed with wisdom and understanding through their faithful obedience.

Footnotes: 

1. Changing of Names to Praise True God, to Praising False God's (v7) 

Meaning of the names of Daniel and his friends:

Daniel: The name Daniel means "God is my judge."

Hananiah: The name Hananiah means "The Lord is gracious."

Mishael: The name Mishael means "Who is like God?"

Azariah: The name Azariah means "The Lord is my helper."

Belteshazzar: This name is thought to mean "Protected by Bel," Bel being the name of one of the primary Babylonian gods. 

Shadrach: This name is thought to mean "Command of Aku," Aku being another name for the Babylonian god Marduk.

Meshach: This name is thought to mean "Who is like Aku?"

Abednego: This name is thought to mean "Servant of Nebo," Nebo being the Babylonian god of wisdom.

These names were chosen to reflect the cultural and religious beliefs of the Babylonian people and to demonstrate the captives' loyalty to the king and his gods. They were also intended to strip the young men of their Jewish identity and assert Babylonian cultural dominance over them. 

Despite their new names, however, Daniel and his friends remained true to their Jewish faith and continued to follow the commandments of their religion, as demonstrated by their refusal to eat the king's food.