Albert Barnes Commentary Daniel 1:13

"Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king`s dainties; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants." — Daniel 1:13 (ASV)

Then let our countenances be looked upon - One of the aims to be achieved by this whole trial was to promote their personal beauty and their healthful appearance (Daniel 1:4–5). Daniel was willing for the trial to be made in this respect, and for a judgment to be formed from the observed effect of their temperate mode of life. The Hebrew word translated as "countenance" (מראה mar'eh) is not limited to the "face," as the word "countenance" is understood by us. It refers to the whole appearance, the form, the "looks;" and the expression here is equivalent to, "Then look at us, and see what the result has been, and deal with us accordingly." The Greek is αἱ ἰδέαι ἡμῶν hai ideai hēmōn - our appearance.

Of the children - Youths; young men (Daniel 1:4). The reference is probably to the Chaldean youths who were trained amid the luxuries of the court. It is possible, however, that the reference is to Hebrew youths who were less scrupulous than Daniel and his companions.

And as thou seest, deal with thy servants - As the result will be. That is, let us be presented at court, and be promoted or not, as the result of our mode of living will be. We are not informed what the effect would have been if there had been a failure. Whether it would have endangered their lives, or whether it would have been merely a forfeiture of the offered honors and advantages, we have no means of determining. It is evident that Daniel had no apprehension about the outcome.