Dan 1:1–21  Daniel Purposed in His Heart not to Defile Himself with the King’s Meat

[Study Aired November 1, 2021]

Dan 1:1  In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 
Dan 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. 
Dan 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; 
Dan 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. 
Dan 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. 
Dan 1:6  Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 
Dan 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. 
Dan 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. 
Dan 1:9  Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 
Dan 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. 
Dan 1:11  Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
Dan 1:12  Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 
Dan 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. 
Dan 1:14  So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 
Dan 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. 
Dan 1:16  Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 
Dan 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. 
Dan 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. 
Dan 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. 
Dan 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. 
Dan 1:21  And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus. 

The Book of Daniel is generally accepted to be written by Daniel, who travelled to Babylon with a group of young Israelite nobles, men of promise whom the conquering power of Babylon felt could be of use in service. This movement to Babylon was part of the first of three deportations (605, 597, and 586 BC) carried out by the Babylonians in Israel after they subdued Jerusalem and King Jehoiakim. The book is divided into two parts – Daniel Chapters 1–6 deals with narratives regarding Daniel and his three companions, and Daniel Chapters 7-12 contains prophetic visions seen by Daniel which are in sync with the Book of Revelation.

Dan 1:1  In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

The Book of Daniel starts with the exile of Daniel and other young Israelites to Babylon. As we are aware, Babylon represents the religions of this world, including Christianity. The name Jehoiakim means ‘Jehovah will raise’. So, as part of our walk with Christ, our Lord raises a storm in our lives represented here by the invasion of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians in Jerusalem.

Psa 107:25  For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 
Psa 107:26  They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
Psa 107:27  They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.
Psa 107:28  Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
Psa 107:29  He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Psa 107:30  Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
Psa 107:31  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

The fact that it was the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim signifies that the storm raised by the Lord is part of the process of spiritual completion through judgment. This means that our going to Babylon is part of the process of maturing in Christ. The prophets of the Old Testament and our brothers and sisters in Babylon were/are not given this understanding, and so they wondered why God would bring them such suffering. Let’s look at Habakkuk for example. He wondered why God would send the Chaldeans to destroy His people. This is what God told Habakkuk:

Hab 1:5  Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.
Hab 1:6  For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs.
Hab 1:7  They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.
Hab 1:8  Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat. 
Hab 1:9  They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand. 
Hab 1:10  And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.

These Chaldeans represent the leaders of the physical churches of this world whose messages make us worse off. We used to also propagate such messages until God’s light started shining in our lives.

2Co 11:13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

2Pe 2:20  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

Our lack of understanding of what our Lord is doing by sending us to Babylon, just like Habakkuk, makes us question our Lord as follows:

Hab 1:13  Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?

A critical ingredient in dealing with sin is when we come to see that we are indeed the worst sinners and cannot help ourselves. This is a prerequisite to positioning us to take hold of the righteousness of Christ as we learn not to depend on ourselves. That is what our life in Babylon under judgment does. It brings forth the worst in us so we can know who we are. Knowing who we are serves as a catalyst to learning righteousness as our Lord takes this opportunity to come to us through judgment.

Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

1Ti 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
1Ti 1:16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Dan 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.

Our time in Babylon is all designed by the Lord as signified by the Lord giving Jehoiakim into the hands of the Babylonians. The carrying of the vessels of the house of God into the house of the Babylonian god is the same as taking the fair jewels of the Lord’s gold and silver and committing whoredom with them. This means that during our time in Babylon, we all used the word of God to propagate false doctrines, thus, creating images of another Jesus (the god of the Babylonians).

Eze 16:17  Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them,

2Co 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Dan 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;

Here the king signifies God, and Ashpenaz represents our Lord and savior Jesus. Ashpenaz means ‘I will make prominent the sprinkled’. Sprinkled means to cover with small drops or particles of substance. So, we are the small drops or particles that the Lord is making us prominent. Verse 3 also speaks of our election before the foundations of the world as we must be of Israel’s descent and from a royal background. Since nobody chooses whether he/she will be born an American, Israelite, Australian, etc. and whether he/she will be from a royal descent, it means that we do not contribute to our election and were chosen before the world began.

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

We, the elect, are from a royal descent.

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Dan 1:4  Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skillful 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.

A high paying job requires higher standards of qualification. As God’s children, we are required to possess the qualifications stated in verse 4 in order to inherit the promise. We were called from darkness and did not have a clue as to what righteousness was all about. But God has predestinated us to be a holy people, skillful in wisdom and understanding. So, in verse 4 here, our God is calling those things which are not as though they were.

Rom 4:17  (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

We are therefore called to be without blemish, well favored, skillful in wisdom, cunning in knowledge and understanding science. To be without blemish signifies we must be holy and without fault.

1Pe 1:14  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
1Pe 1:15  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1Pe 1:16  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

As God’s children, we are well favored.

Luk 1:28  And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 

We are required to be skillful in wisdom.

Pro 9:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 

1Co 2:6  Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 
1Co 2:7  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

We must be cunning in knowledge. As stated in Proverbs 9:10, understanding the ways of God is being cunning in knowledge.

Pro 9:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

We must understand science. We must know how the knowledge called science can easily derail our faith.

1Ti 6:20  O Timothy, guard the doctrine which has been entrusted to you, avoiding profane, empty babblings, and contradictions of false knowledge that is called science;
1Ti 6:21  Through which some, who are personally professing these false views, have missed the mark concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

Having the ability to stand in the king’s palace is laying down our lives for the sake of Christ as portrayed by Esther when she approached the King in his palace knowing she may lose her life. In other words, if we love our lives, we will not be able to stand before the king in his palace. On the other hand, if we lose our lives, we shall surely be able to stand before the king in his palace.

Est 4:16  Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

Joh 12:25  He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

As stated in verse 4, the whole essence of our lives here on earth is for the Lord to teach us the learning and tongue of the chaldeans. The term “chaldea” came to include practically all of Babylonia and was virtually synonymous with the neo-Babylonian empire. Chaldea means ‘clod breakers’. A clod refers to a lump of earth or clay. So what we are being told here is that our Lord, represented here by Ashpenaz, is teaching us the language of the spirit of those who have broken down their earthen vessels of clay to conform to the image of Christ.

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Dan 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.

The positive application of the daily provision of the king’s meat refers to the word of God that our Lord is making us understand which is able to give us an inheritance. To stand before the king is to be given an inheritance or reward.

Act 20:32  And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

The negative application of this daily provision of the king’s meat refers to false doctrines, that is worldly wisdom, which is not consistent with the word of God. When we walk in the flesh, we are attracted to these false doctrines which are lies. The fact that this daily provision is appointed by the king is to let us know that it is the Lord Who opens our eyes to see and our ears to hear the word of God, and it is also Him Who deceives us with false doctrines.

Mat 13:10  And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Mat 13:12  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

2Th 2:10  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Verse 5 also mentioned that the king’s meat and wine are for the purpose of nourishing the selected royals for a period of three years. The three years signify our process of spiritual completion through the fiery word of God. In other words, as we are feeding on the word of God, tribulation and persecution will arise to put to death the old man and at the same time nourish the new man. This is what will make it possible for us to stand before the king.

Mat 13:21  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Psa 105:19  Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.

Dan 1:6  Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 
Dan 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.

These verses give the original name of Daniel and the other three Hebrew young men and the names given to them by the Prince of the eunuchs. The significance of being given these names are as follows:

Daniel means ‘Judge of God’. We cannot be judges if we ourselves have not been judged. In this life therefore, we are being judged. The name Daniel is also to make us aware of the role we will play in bringing all humanity to Christ through judgment at the lake of fire age.

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

The prince of the eunuchs named Daniel Belteshazzar, which means ‘Lord of the straitened treasure’. Straightened is defined as characterized by poverty. We are those in poverty or poor in spirit. The treasure of the poor in spirit is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God.  So, the changing of the name Daniel to Belteshazzar is to let us know that through judgment we grow or mature in the knowledge of the glory of God.

2Co 4:6  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Hananiah represents ‘Jehovah has favored’. God has indeed favored us by causing us to see and to hear His words. Hananiah’s name was changed to Shadrach which means ‘command of (the god) Aku’. The English phrase “command of” can mean having knowledge or mastery of something. The changing of the name Hananiah to Shadrach signifies that, through God’s favor, we do not become ignorant of the devices of the devil but have the knowledge or mastery of the devil’s schemes.

2Co 2:11  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Mishael means ‘Who is what God is’. Here we are asked a question as to who bears God’s likeness. It is we, the elect, who are being molded into His likeness.

Gen 1:26  And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

The name Mishael was changed to Meshach which stands for ‘guest of the king’. When we have been molded into the likeness of Christ, we shall become the guest of the king at the marriage supper.

Azariah means ‘Jehovah has helped’. His name was changed to Abednego which means ‘a servant of Nebo’ which means prophet. So, through the help of our Lord, we shall become the servants of Jesus Christ, the greatest prophet.

Dan 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. 

As we indicated earlier, the daily portion of king’s meat and wine for the Hebrew young men can have a positive or a negative application. In this verse, it is applied negatively, which means that the king’s meat and the wine signify false doctrine which characterized the Babylonian system. Such doctrines defile our heavens and make us unworthy to stand before our king. This is what happens to us after imbibing such doctrines:

2Pe 2:18  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity (false doctrines), they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 
2Pe 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 
2Pe 2:20  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
2Pe 2:21  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 
2Pe 2:22  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Like Daniel, we must have no tolerance for false doctrines. We must therefore, ask the Lord to remove all the false doctrines in our heavens that defile us.

Heb 13:9  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
Heb 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

If we want to serve at the altar where we offer our bodies as living sacrifices, then we must not be carried away by divers and strange doctrines.

Dan 1:9  Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

Daniel having favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs is another way of saying that we, the elect, are loved and favored by the Lord. This favor and love causes us to walk in a way that pleases the Lord and in so doing, we are able to live in peace with man.

Jer 31:3  The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Pro 16:7  When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Dan 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. 
Dan 1:11  Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 
Dan 1:12  Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 
Dan 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. 
Dan 1:14  So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 

What these verses are saying are that we are being measured by the word of God or by the standard of our Lord Jesus Christ. As our eyes are being opened and our ears are hearing, we must conform to the image of Christ.

Rev 11:1  And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
Rev 11:2  But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. 

The reed is a measuring device, and the fact that the reed is like a rod means that when we do not measure up to the standard of Christ, we will be disciplined. We can see here that it is only the elect, represented by Daniel and the three Jewish boys, who are being measured. Our brothers and sisters in the churches of this world, together with the rest of humanity are not being measured in this age.

We are being measured over a period of ten days. The number ten means the fullness of the flesh. Thus, as long as we are in this body of flesh, we are being measured to the standard of Christ.

It is only when we measure up to the standard of Christ that we shall become part of the new Jerusalem which shall descend out of heaven from God. Our gathering today is a foretaste of this New Jerusalem. At that time, there will not be any rod since we are measuring up to the standard of Christ. However, we are currently experiencing judgment in various ways to attest to the fact that we are being measured and disciplined by the rod.

Rev 21:10  And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Rev 21:11  Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 
Rev 21:12  And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 
Rev 21:13  On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
Rev 21:14  And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Rev 21:15  And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 

We can see that all the numbers mentioned concerning the new Jerusalem are twelve, which is the number of Christ of which we are being measured. The fact that there are four Hebrew young men means that all the elect in every generation is being measured with the reed like a rod.

Dan 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. 
Dan 1:16  Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 

This is to assure us that at the end of our journey here on earth, we shall surely measure up to the standard of Christ. We must be assured that what our Lord starts, He is able to finish!! If we do not have this confidence or hope, then we are just trying to see if it will work, which is not of faith. It does not matter where we are now about our spiritual condition, our Lord is able to turn things around for our good!! Oh, that men will praise the Lord for His wonderful works towards us. He will surely bring us to our safe haven.

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Psa 107:30  Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
Psa 107:31  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

The children who did eat of the portion of the king’s meat and wine are our brothers and sisters in Babylon. The food they eat brings leanness.

Dan 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.

The four children here stand for the whole of the race of God’s elect. The statement “God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom” is another way of saying that the elect shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of our Lord’s house, and He shall make them drink of the rivers of His pleasures.

Psa 36:7  How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
Psa 36:8  They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
Psa 36:9  For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
Psa 36:10  O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

The statement “and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams” is the same as what our Lord told Aaron and Miriam that with Moses, he speaks mouth to mouth and not in dark speeches.

Num 12:5  And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. 
Num 12:6  And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. 
Num 12:7  My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. 
Num 12:8  With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? 

Dan 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.
Dan 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. 
Dan 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. 

At the end of our walk here on earth, our Lord and Master Jesus will bring us to stand before the Father blameless. The wisdom and understanding we are being given by the Lord will surpass all the wisdom of this world and its religions.

Col 1:22  In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
Col 1:23  If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

The story of Solomon’s encounter with Christ seeks to let us know that our Lord is preparing us to have a wise and understanding heart which will be unequalled by any flesh. That is what will qualify us to assume rulership in the age to come. Solomon here is representing the elect, and what was said to Solomon is what our Lord is saying to us today!!

1Ki 3:12  Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
1Ki 3:13  And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

2Ch 1:1  And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.

Dan 1:21  And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus. 

King Cyrus was the divine instrument for the release of the Jews from the Babylonian exile (Isaiah 44:28 and Isaiah 45:1-14). A few years after the fall of Babylon, Cyrus issued a proclamation which permitted the Jews to return to their own land. He restored the sacred vessels of the temple which had been carried to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar (Ezra 1:1-11). So, we can see that King Cyrus here represents the Lord Jesus Christ. This is affirmed by the meaning of the name Cyrus which signifies ‘possess thou the furnace’. It is only Christ who can possess our furnace or deliver us from our affliction.

The statement “And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus” is to let us know that as we continue to grow in Christ, we shall be of one mind with Christ. The number one or the first year of Cyrus’s reign here means unity with Christ.

Php 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.