Daniel 1:14
So he consented to this and tested them for ten days.
So he consented to this
This phrase indicates the agreement of the Babylonian official, likely Ashpenaz or the steward under him, to Daniel's request. Daniel and his friends had asked to be tested with a diet of vegetables and water instead of the king's food and wine. This consent shows the favor Daniel found in the eyes of the official, which can be seen as God's providence at work. It reflects the theme of divine intervention and favor, as seen in other biblical narratives like Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 39:21).

and tested them
The testing implies a trial period to evaluate the effects of the proposed diet. This reflects the wisdom and faith of Daniel and his friends, who trusted God to sustain them. The concept of testing is prevalent in Scripture, often associated with proving faithfulness and reliance on God, as seen in the testing of Abraham (Genesis 22) and the Israelites in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:2).

for ten days
The specific period of ten days is significant, as the number ten often symbolizes completeness or a full cycle in biblical numerology. This short period was sufficient to demonstrate the effectiveness of their diet and God's provision. The number ten is also seen in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and the ten plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12), representing a complete set of divine instructions or judgments.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Daniel
A young Hebrew man of noble lineage taken into Babylonian captivity. He is known for his unwavering faith and wisdom.

2. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah
Daniel's companions, also taken into captivity. They are later known by their Babylonian names: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

3. Ashpenaz
The chief official of King Nebuchadnezzar, responsible for the training of the young captives.

4. Babylon
The empire that conquered Judah and took Daniel and his friends into captivity.

5. The Ten-Day Test
A period during which Daniel and his friends were allowed to eat only vegetables and drink water to prove their dietary choice would not diminish their health.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness in Small Things
Daniel's commitment to God's laws in dietary matters shows the importance of faithfulness in seemingly small decisions. This teaches us that our daily choices reflect our devotion to God.

Courage to Stand Apart
Daniel and his friends demonstrated courage by choosing a different path from their peers. This encourages us to stand firm in our convictions, even when it means being different from the world.

Trust in God's Provision
By choosing a simple diet, Daniel trusted that God would sustain him. This reminds us to rely on God's provision rather than conforming to worldly standards for success or well-being.

The Power of Testing
The ten-day test was a period of proving God's faithfulness. It teaches us that trials can be opportunities to demonstrate God's power and faithfulness in our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does Daniel's decision to refuse the king's food teach us about maintaining our convictions in a secular environment?

2. How can we apply the principle of "not conforming to the world" in our daily lives, as seen in Daniel's example?

3. In what ways can we demonstrate faithfulness in small decisions, and why is this important for our spiritual growth?

4. How does trusting in God's provision, as Daniel did, challenge our reliance on worldly resources or standards?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a "test" of your faith. How did it strengthen your relationship with God, and what did you learn from the experience?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 1:29
This verse discusses God's provision of plants for food, which connects to Daniel's choice of a plant-based diet.

Romans 12:2
This verse encourages believers not to conform to the world, similar to Daniel's refusal to defile himself with the king's food.

1 Corinthians 10:31
This verse speaks about doing everything for the glory of God, which aligns with Daniel's intention to honor God through his dietary choices.
Training for Imperial Office and WorkJ.D. Davies Daniel 1:3-21
Moral HeroismH.T. Robjohns Daniel 1:5-21
People
Abednego, Ashpenaz, Azariah, Babylonians, Belteshazzar, Cyrus, Daniel, Hananiah, Israelites, Jehoiakim, Melzar, Meshach, Mishael, Nebuchadnezzar, Shadrach
Places
Babylon, Jerusalem, Shinar
Topics
Consented, Ear, Hearkened, Hearkeneth, Listened, Matter, Proved, Ten, Test, Tested, Tried, Trieth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Daniel 1:1-21

     5542   society, positive

Daniel 1:3-16

     4532   vegetables

Daniel 1:5-16

     4436   drinking, abstention

Daniel 1:8-14

     5922   prudence

Daniel 1:8-16

     4293   water

Daniel 1:12-14

     5783   agreement

Daniel 1:12-15

     1653   numbers, 6-10

Daniel 1:12-20

     7217   exile, in Babylon

Library
Youthful Confessors
'But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink; for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
1. The Traditional Law. - The brief account given in vol. i. p. 100, of the character and authority claimed for the traditional law may here be supplemented by a chronological arrangement of the Halakhoth in the order of their supposed introduction or promulgation. In the first class, or Halakhoth of Moses from Sinai,' tradition enumerates fifty-five, [6370] which may be thus designated: religio-agrarian, four; [6371] ritual, including questions about clean and unclean,' twenty-three; [6372] concerning
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Whether Curiosity Can be About Intellective Knowledge?
Objection 1: It would seem that curiosity cannot be about intellective knowledge. Because, according to the Philosopher (Ethic. ii, 6), there can be no mean and extremes in things which are essentially good. Now intellective knowledge is essentially good: because man's perfection would seem to consist in his intellect being reduced from potentiality to act, and this is done by the knowledge of truth. For Dionysius says (Div. Nom. iv) that "the good of the human soul is to be in accordance with reason,"
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
Discourse 7 "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: And thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." Matthew 6:16-18. 1. It has been the endeavour of Satan, from the beginning of the world,
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

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