Understand this great book of prophecy better by learning about the history and intentions of its writer.

1. Introduction to Daniel
Some Background
Daniel was born in Judea about 622 BC to an upper-class Jewish family. He one of the numerous
nobility of the royal line of David. When Daniel was between seventeen and eighteen years old,
Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar conquered the Jewish nation and took a number of carefully-
chosen youth to Babylon to serve in his government. Daniel was one of those captives.
Nebuchadnezzar was a brilliant and aggressive ruler. Over the next 43 years he developed
Babylon into one of the greatest empires ever built. After his death, a series of incompetent rulers
openly defied God and so mismanaged Babylon that in 539 BC—twenty-three years after
Nebuchadnezzar’s death—Babylon fell to the armies of the Medo-Persian empire. For about
70years Daniel served in high positions in both of these empires.
The Organization of the Book
The first six chapters of the book of Daniel are a record of the major events that occurred in
Babylon during his years of service. These chapters also record two prophetic visions given to
Nebuchadnezzar during this time:
Chapter 1: 606 BC. Capture and Education
Chapter 2: 603 BC. Nebuchadnezzar’s Image Dream—Future World Empires
Chapter 3: 593 BC. The Fiery Furnace
Chapter 4: 569 BC. Nebuchadnezzar’s Tree Dream—A Warning about His Own Future
Chapter 5: 539 BC. The Fall of Babylon
Chapter 6: 538 BC. The Lion’s Den
The last six chapters of Daniel are a record of the prophetic visions he received from God during
his lifetime. These prophecies are some of the most remarkable in the Bible. They foretell the
emergence of major world powers from that period to the end of earth’s history, and they mark
the exact time of the first coming of Jesus as the Messiah/Christ.
Chapter 7: 553 BC. Four Great Beasts—Judgment
Chapter 8: 551 BC. Ram and Goat—the 2300 Day Prophecy
Chapter 9: 538 BC. 70 Weeks—The Messiah
Chapter 10, 11, and 12: 525 BC. King of the North, King of the South—The Time of the End
The historical section of Daniel sets the stage for the prophetic portion. From the stories of God’s
interaction with the rulers of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius and Cyrus), we
discover a loving and sovereign God in a great controversy with evil, who works behind the
scenes arranging events in the nations of the world to make “all things work together for good, to
them that love God.” Romans 8:28. This pervasive theme continues throughout the prophetic
section, culminating in a complete restoration of God’s kingdom, people and sanctuary in the
earth made new.

3. Daniel 1 KJV Commentary
1
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim
king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king
of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged
it. 2And 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; 4Children
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
1:5-17 Daniel risked death by choosing to reject the
wine which he drank: so nourishing them
king’s food and drink, but he determined to be true
three years, that at the end thereof they
to God and obey the dietary requirements set out in
might stand before the king.
His law. See Leviticus 11; 17:12; Deuteronomy
6 14:3-21. Daniel also knew that the royal diet would
Now among these were of the children of
not be good for his health. Instead of “choice food”
Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and
Daniel asked for pulse—plant foods such as grains,
Azariah: 7Unto whom the prince of the
fruits and vegetables—and instead of wine he asked
eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto
for plain water.
Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to
Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of
The ten-day test showed that Daniel and his friends
Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
were noticeably healthier than those who ate the
8 king’s rich foods. Modern science has shown that the
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he
best diet for optimal health is a plant-based, high
would not defile himself with the portion
fiber and low cholesterol diet. People who choose
of the king's meat, nor with the wine which
these foods tend to live longer, have more energy
he drank: therefore he requested of the
and be more mentally alert. The key word is “defile,”
prince of the eunuchs that he might not
which in Hebrew means just that, to “pollute, defile.”
defile himself. 9Now God had brought
Thus, for these young men, the issue was not just
Daniel into favour and tender love with the
healthful living or a mere personal preference; it was
prince of the eunuchs. 10And the prince of
a moral issue as well.
the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my
lord the king, who hath appointed your

4. 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, 12Prove
thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and
let them give us pulse to eat, and water to
drink. 13Then 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. 15And 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
1:17 Because Daniel and his friends were faithful
them knowledge and skill in all learning
God blessed them with superior wisdom and
and wisdom: and Daniel had
intelligence.
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. 19And 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. 21And Daniel continued
even unto the first year of king Cyrus.