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THE BOOK OF DANIEL
CHAPTER 1
The book of Daniel contains 12 chapters, 357 verses, and 11,606 words.
Daniel is a real person who lived during the time of Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon. The Lord Jesus Christ confirmed this during his earth ministry when he told of Daniel prophecy about a future time. (Matt 24:14) There are two other major prophets that write during this time. Jeremiah writes before the captivity of Israel and was left in the land where he also writes during Daniel's prophecies. Ezekiel is carried away in captivity and also writes during Daniel's prophecies. Jeremiah and Ezekiel write about and to Israel with prophecy about the fall of Israel and prophecy about a future time when God deal with his chosen people again. Daniel writes about world powers and is able to see future powers and the times of the gentiles. The theme of the Book of the Book of Daniel is the fact that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men.
Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
The key verse in the Book of Daniel and is the goal of all prophecies is
Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
The outline of the Book of Daniel: Chapter 1-6 historical; Chapter 7-12 prophecy. Chapter 1 is about the captivity of Jerusalem and Daniel is taken to Babylon. Chapter 2 is about the course of the gentiles in the image that Nebuchadnezzar set up. Chapter 3 is about the faithful remnant (Isa 43:12). Chapter 4 is about the madness of Nebuchadnezzar. Chapter 5 is about the handwriting on the wall. Chapter 6 Daniel is in the lion's den. Chapter 7 is the works of the antichrist in the tribulation period. Chapter 8 the antichrist is identified. Chapter 9 is the Jewish time schedule. Chapter 10-12 are about the fall of the antichrist.
Daniel 1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
Daniel is giving the account of when Nebuchadnezzar left Babylon. Jeremiah gives the account of when Nebuchadnezzar takes Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 25:1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;
Jeremiah 27:6 And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.
Daniel 1:2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
This is the end of the times of the Nation of Israel politically and here the times of the gentiles starts. Up until this time, God had not allowed any nation to be ruler of all the nations because of the position of the Nation of Israel with Him. The Lord gave them over because of the issue of the right to rule. There are three stages of the siege of Babylon that leads up to the end of Israel politically:
1. Jeroiakim was taken captive with Daniel after he was king for 11 years (II Chron 36:5)
2. Jehoiakin was king for 3 months and 10 days (II Chron 36:9)
3. Zedekiah was king for 11 years and was taken away by Nebuchadnezzar and blinded (II Kings 25:6)
There are three stages of God's removal of His Glory:
1. From the cherub to the threshold of the house (Ezk 9:3).
2. From off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims (Ezk 10:18).
3. From the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the East side of the city before going into heaven (Ezk 11:23).
Daniel 1:3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
Daniel 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
Chaldeans and Shinar are another name of Babylon. Ashpenaz is a servant of the king and is a eunuch who is in charge all the king's eunuchs. He is told to choose children who were well favored. The scripture does not tell if they were made eunuchs but it is a possibility.
Daniel 1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
These children were to be given the best of food and drink and after three years they were to be brought before the king.
Daniel 1:6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
Daniel 1:7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
The purpose of the name change is to take away their character. Daniel means God is my judge. His name was changed to Belteshazzar which means the prince of Baal (Dan 4:8). Hananiah means beloved of the Lord. His name was changed to Shadrach which means commanded by Rak (the sun God). Mishael means who is like God. His name was changed to Meshach which means who is like Sack (queen of heaven).
Azariah means the Lord is my help. His name was changed to Abednego which means a servant of Nego (the fire god).
Daniel 1:8 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.
Daniel stood the test of obeying the Law of Israel rather than giving in the dietary customs of the Babylonians. The meat had been offered to graven images (Ex 20:5). Daniel is an example of a man that lived a no-compromising life.
Daniel 1:9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
Daniel 1:10 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 are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
Daniel 1:11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
Daniel 1:12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
Daniel 1:13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
Daniel 1:14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
Daniel 1:15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
Daniel 1:16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
Melzar consented to let them not eat the king's meat but to eat pulse for ten days. After the ten days were up countenances was fairer than all the other children.
Daniel 1:17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Daniel 1:18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel 1:19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
Daniel 1:20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
Daniel 1:21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
God gave Daniel and his three companion's knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom and Daniel was also given understanding in all visions and dreams. The king found them to be ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers in his realm.
