Lesson 612: Daniel Chapter 1

"God's Purpose and Plan For US!"

^Click the Start arrow on the player above to listen to this Bible Study

DANIEL CHAPTER 1

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 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. 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; 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. 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. 6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 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 Abed-nego. 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. 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 are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. 11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 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. 14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 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. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 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. 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. 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. 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. 21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

Lesson No. 612 “God’s Purpose and Plan for US!”

Book of Daniel Chapter 1 04/03/2022

1) Why did the Lord give the king of Babylon the king of Judah? I though the Jews were God's chosen people? (v 1 and 2)

2) Why did king Nebuchadnezzar want the best of the people from the land that he had conquered? (v 3 and 4)

3) The king had Daniel and his three friends groomed and feed for three years (why so long?) and changed their names. Why? What was the point of this long time-period and the name change? (v 5-8)

4) What did Daniel say when he learned of the kings plan to feed him? What does 'purposed in his heart' mean? What did he do about it?

5) Daniel was given favor by God with Ashpenaz and Daniel made a deal with him regarding a diet that would be more pleasing to God. What happened? (v 9 through 16)

6) What did God give Daniel which ultimately was to the great benefit to the kingdom of God? (hint- v 17)

7) What happened after three years when Daniel and the boys were brought before the king and the king got to know them? How much 'better' were Daniel and his friends compared to the others? (v 20)

8) What do you think the other men in the kings court (magicians and astrologers and councilors) though about these four foreigners? Do you think that was a problem for them?

9) Daniel's nation was defeated, his nation either killed or taken captive, and he was carried off to a foreign land not knowing what would happen to him. Further, they tried to force him to compromise his faith but did not. (Sound like our world and society?) What was the only thing that Daniel had, and how did he use it? Is there a lesson in this for us?

Feel free to email Chuck with any questions or comments about this Bible study: schmidtce@aol.com

To download this Bible study to listen to off-line, right click the following links and select "Save target as" (or "Save link as") and navigate to where you would like to save them on your computer.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4