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 spoke 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. (Daniel 1)
• Isreal is taken Captive by the King Nebuchadnezzar.
• The King requests to have the best men of Isreal set apart to be taught the tongue of the Chaldeans.
• The men of skill, wisdom and good looking to stand and serve before the king.
• Daniel and his friends are among those selected.
WHO ARE CHALDEANS
The Chaldeans were people who lived in southern Babylonia which would be the southern part of Iraq today.
For example, Genesis 11:28 speaks of Abraham’s father Terah, who lived in “Ur of the Chaldeans,” home to the specific tribe or people known as the Chaldeans.
They were renowned for being intelligent with advanced astronomy, mathematics, and administration.
THE KINGS MEAT
The king ordered that in the process of teaching the selected Israelites “the tongue” of the Chaldeans, they would also eat if the King’s meat to nourish their bodies.
• Daniel rejects this because he doesn’t want to defile his body. He instead requests Vegetables.
• The Incharge was concerned they would look more skinny but Daniel requests 10 Days of testing them on Vegetables.
• After this period, Daniel and his friends were looking more healthy and had more flesh on their body.
• Although Daniel had no issue learning the culture, science and tongue of the Chaldeans, he refused to eat the Kings Meat.
• Daniel chose not to blend in or compromise his identity to fit into the Babylonian system, choosing separation for holiness over ease and acceptance.
• In Heb 11:26 we see another example.
• Moses, by faith, chose to endure hardship and disgrace (reproach) for God's people and His Messiah (Christ) rather than enjoy Egypt's temporary riches, viewing the suffering as more valuable because he focused on the eternal reward.
• In both cases, the King’s Meat was a “personal gain”; for Daniel - getting healthier and for Moses having ease of life when the rest of the Israelites were struggling.
• Gehazi, servant to the prophet Elisha, received gifts (two talents of silver and two sets of fine clothing) from the Syrian commander Naaman after Elisha had refused them, acting out of greed and lying to Elisha, which resulted in Gehazi being afflicted with Naaman's leprosy.
• Daniel refused the King’s Meat so as not to defile himself and the King’s wine “which was for his personal happiness.”
• And the King communed with them and found out that Daniel and his friends were 10 times more intelligent than the rest of the Magicians and wise men.
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