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.

Now at the end {H7117} of the days {H3117} that the king {H4428} had said {H559} he should bring {H935} them in, then the prince {H8269} of the eunuchs {H5631} brought {H935} them in before {H6440} Nebuchadnezzar {H5019}.

When the time the king had set for them to be presented came, the chief officer presented them to N'vukhadnetzar;

Now at the end of the time specified by the king, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar.

And at the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel 1:18 KJV marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Daniel and his three friends in Babylon. After a three-year period of training and preparation under the supervision of the Babylonian court, the time arrived for these young men to be presented before King Nebuchadnezzar for evaluation.

Context

This verse directly follows the account of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah's three-year training program initiated by King Nebuchadnezzar, designed to assimilate the brightest young men from conquered lands into Babylonian service. The purpose was to equip them with the language, literature, and customs of the Chaldeans (Daniel 1:4). Crucially, Daniel and his friends had previously demonstrated remarkable faith and integrity by choosing to eat vegetables and water instead of the king's rich food and wine, trusting God for their health (Daniel 1:8). This decision, against the cultural norm, led to them appearing healthier than all the other young men (Daniel 1:15), a testament to God's favor and their obedience.

Key Themes

  • Divine Timing and Fulfillment: The phrase "at the end of the days that the king had said" highlights the precise fulfillment of the king's decree, but also subtly points to God's overarching plan unfolding according to His timetable.
  • Preparation and Presentation: This verse signifies the culmination of a period of intense preparation. The young men were not just brought in randomly; they had undergone rigorous training, demonstrating their readiness for high-level service.
  • Faithfulness Rewarded: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the preceding chapters establish that Daniel and his friends' integrity and trust in God led to their exceptional development. God had granted them "knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom" (Daniel 1:17), preparing them for this very moment before the king.
  • God's Sovereignty: Even in a foreign land under a pagan king, God was orchestrating events to position His servants for future influence and to bear witness to His power.

Linguistic Insights

The "prince of the eunuchs" (Hebrew: sar hassarisim) refers to Ashpenaz, the chief official in charge of the king's eunuchs and often, by extension, the royal household and its educational programs. His role was significant, indicating the formal and critical nature of this presentation. The term 'eunuch' itself often denoted high-ranking court officials, not always implying literal castration, but rather a position of trust and proximity to the monarch.

Significance and Application

Daniel 1:18 underscores that periods of preparation, even those that seem challenging or prolonged, serve a divine purpose. For Daniel and his friends, their faithfulness during their training, particularly in their dietary choices, positioned them for extraordinary favor and influence. This verse serves as a reminder that God observes our character and diligence during times of obscurity and preparation. When the appointed time comes, He opens doors, bringing us before those He intends for us to serve or influence. It encourages believers to remain steadfast in their convictions, knowing that God honors integrity and wisdom, often elevating His servants to positions where they can impact their world for His glory, much like Daniel would later do in interpreting dreams and visions for Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:28).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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