Daniel 1:17-21

God Gives Understanding

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17To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. And Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams.

18Now at the end of the time specified by the king, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar.

19And the king spoke with them, and among all the young men he found no one equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the king’s service.

20In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.

21And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

Berean Standard Bible

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God gives Daniel and his three friends knowledge and understanding in literature and wisdom. Daniel also has insight into visions and dreams. The education they have received in Babylon is accompanied by abilities the passage attributes to God.

At the end of the appointed training, the chief official presents them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king speaks with them and finds no one equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They enter his service.

In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which he consults them, Nebuchadnezzar finds them ten times better than the magicians and enchanters of his kingdom. The chapter then looks far beyond their first examination: Daniel remains there until the first year of King Cyrus. The young exile’s life in royal service will extend well beyond this beginning.

Questions

1 What does God give the four young men?

AnswerHe gives them knowledge and understanding in literature and wisdom. Daniel also has insight into visions and dreams.

2 What happens when the king meets them?

AnswerHe finds no one equal to the four young men, and they enter his service.

3 How does the king assess their wisdom?

AnswerIn the matters he asks them about, he finds them ten times better than the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom.

4 How far ahead does the chapter look?

AnswerIt says that Daniel remains there until the first year of King Cyrus, well beyond his initial training.

What This Means for Us

God gives these young men knowledge and skill, and they use those gifts in demanding work. Daniel’s service continues into the reign of Cyrus; this is more than one successful examination.

Encourage learning in your household without making achievement the measure of a person’s worth. Help a child practice a difficult skill, thank someone who teaches you, or use something you know to serve a neighbor. Ability is a gift to put to use with gratitude.

Prayer

God of wisdom, thank You for every ability that helps us serve. Keep learning from becoming pride, and give our household endurance to remain truthful and useful through changes we cannot control. Amen.

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