Daniel's Faithfulness with Food
Daniel and his three friends refuse the king's rich food and wine, choosing vegetables instead, and God honors their faithfulness by making them healthier and wiser than all others.
Daniel 1:1-21
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The Story
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon besieged Jerusalem and carried away some of the vessels of the house of God, along with certain children of Israel, including those of the king's seed and of the princes. These young men were to be taught the learning and tongue of the Chaldeans, prepared to stand in the king's palace. Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, who were given Babylonian names: Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
The king appointed them a daily provision of his own meat and wine, intending to nourish them for three years before they entered his service. However, 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. These foods likely violated the dietary laws God had given to Israel, and Daniel sought to remain faithful to the covenant even in captivity.
Daniel requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself, and God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with this official. Yet the prince feared the king's wrath if these young men appeared worse than their peers. Daniel then proposed a test to Melzar, the steward: 'Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 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.'
Melzar consented to the test. At the end of ten days, Daniel and his companions appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the king's provisions. Melzar therefore removed their appointed meat and wine, giving them pulse instead. God gave these four young men knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. When their three years concluded and they stood before Nebuchadnezzar, the king found none like them in all his realm. In all matters of wisdom and understanding, they were ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers in his kingdom. Thus God honored their faithful obedience.
Daniel Chooses God's Food
Kids Version
Long ago, a powerful king named Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem and took many people to his kingdom of Babylon. Among them were four young men: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The king's servants gave them new names—Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—and planned to teach them everything about Babylon so they could work in the king's palace.
The king wanted these young men to eat the same rich food and wine that he ate every day. But Daniel knew that some of this food was not right for God's people to eat. He didn't want to disobey God, even though he was far from home. So Daniel made a brave decision: he would not eat the king's food.
Daniel kindly asked the man in charge if he and his three friends could eat only vegetables and drink only water instead. The man was worried. 'What if you look skinny and sick?' he said. 'The king will be angry with me!'
Daniel had an idea. 'Let's try it for just ten days,' he suggested. 'Then see if we look worse than the other young men who eat the king's food.'
The man agreed to the test. For ten days, Daniel and his friends ate vegetables and drank water while the others ate the king's fancy meals. And guess what happened? At the end of ten days, Daniel and his friends looked healthier and stronger than everyone else! Their faces were bright and they felt wonderful.
So the man let them keep eating vegetables. God blessed Daniel and his friends for choosing to obey Him. He made them very smart and wise—even wiser than all the king's magicians and advisors! When they stood before King Nebuchadnezzar, he was amazed. He had never met anyone as wise as these four young men. Daniel and his friends learned that when you obey God, He takes care of you.
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Scripture — Daniel 1:1-21 (KJV)
1In 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.
3And 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.
5And 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 wine: Heb. the wine of his drink
6Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
7Unto 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.
8But 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.
9Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10And 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. worse: Heb. sadder sort: or, term, or, continuance?
11Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Melzar: or, the steward
12Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. pulse: Heb. of pulse to eat: Heb. that we may eat, etc
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.
14So 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.
16Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
17As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Daniel: or, he made Daniel understand
18Now 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.
20And 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. wisdom: Heb. wisdom of understanding
21And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
Memory Verse
“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.”
— Daniel 1:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Daniel's Faithfulness with Food” in the Bible?
Daniel and his three friends refuse the king's rich food and wine, choosing vegetables instead, and God honors their faithfulness by making them healthier and wiser than all others. This story is found in Daniel 1:1-21.
Where is “Daniel's Faithfulness with Food” found in the Bible?
“Daniel's Faithfulness with Food” is found in Daniel 1:1-21, in the book of Daniel.
What can children learn from “Daniel's Faithfulness with Food”?
This story teaches children about Faithfulness, Obedience to God, Wisdom, Integrity. When Daniel and his friends are taken to the king's palace, they choose to eat vegetables instead of the king's fancy food, and God makes them the healthiest of all!