John Calvin Commentary Daniel 1:11-13

"Then said Daniel to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 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 youths that eat of the king`s dainties; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants." — Daniel 1:11-13 (ASV)

Since Daniel understood from the prefect's answer that he could not obtain his wish, he now addresses his servant. For the prefect had many servants under him, according to the custom of important stewardships. Most probably the steward’s duty was similar to that of the Chief Steward of the Household, as it exists at this time in France.

Daniel and his companions were under the care of one of these servants; Daniel resorts to this remedy and obtains his wish, though, as we shall see, not without some artifice. And here Daniel’s remarkable constancy is evident. After trying the matter once in vain, he did not stop pursuing the same goal. It is a clear and serious proof of our faith when we are not wearied by adversity and never consider the way closed against us.

Then if we do not retrace our steps but try all ways, we truly show the root of piety fixed in our hearts. It might have seemed excusable for Daniel after he had faced his first rejection; for who would not have said he had discharged his duty and that an obstacle had overcome him!

But since he did not succeed with the chief prefect, he goes to his servant. Thus, voluntarily to incur risk was the result of uncommon prudence. For this servant could not make the same objection as we have just heard the prefect did. Without doubt, the servant had heard of Daniel’s request and of his rejection and denial; therefore, Daniel forestalls him and shows how the servant may comply without the slightest danger. It was as if he had said, "We, indeed, did not obtain our wish from the prefect because he was afraid for his life, but I have now thought of a new scheme by which you may both gratify us and yet not be held responsible for any crime, as the whole matter will be unknown."

Try your servants, therefore, for ten days, and test them; let nothing but pulse be given us to eat and water to drink. If after that time our faces are fresh and plump, no suspicion will attach to you, and no one will be persuaded that we are not treated delicately according to the king’s commandment.

Since, then, this test will be sufficiently safe for you, and cautious enough for us both, there is no reason why you should reject our requests. Besides, without the slightest doubt, when Daniel proposed this, he was directed by God’s Spirit to this act of prudence and was also impelled to make this request.

By the remarkable gift of the Holy Spirit, Daniel devised this method of influencing the mind of the servant under whose care he was placed. We must conclude, then, that this was not spoken rashly or from his own will, but by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. It would not have been duty but rashness if Daniel had been the author of this plan and had not been assured by the Lord of its successful outcome.

Without doubt, he had some secret revelation on the subject; and if the servant allowed him and his associates to feed on pulse, it was a favorable answer to his requests. Therefore, I say, he would not have spoken this way except under the guidance and command of the Spirit. And this is noteworthy, since we often allow ourselves to do many things that turn out badly because we are carried away by the mere feelings of the flesh and do not consider what is pleasing to God.

It is not surprising, then, when people indulge in various expectations, that they ultimately feel deceived, since everyone occasionally deceives himself with foolish hopes and thus thwarts his plans. Indeed, it is not our place to promise ourselves any success. Therefore, let us notice how Daniel had not undertaken or approached this matter with any foolish zeal and did not speak without due consideration, but was assured of the outcome by the Spirit of God.

But he says, let pulse be put before us to eat, and water to drink. We see, then, that the four youths did not abstain from the royal food for fear of pollution. For there was no law to prevent anyone from drinking wine, except the Nazarites (Numbers 6:2), and they could eat any kind of meat, of which there was abundance at the royal table.

Why then this scrupulousness? Because, as we said yesterday, Daniel was unwilling to accustom himself to the delicacies of the palace, which would cause him to become degenerate. He wished, therefore, to nourish his body not only frugally but abstemiously, and not to indulge in these tastes; for although he was raised to the highest honors, he was always the same as if still among the most wretched captives. There is no need to seek other reasons for Daniel’s abstinence. For he could have eaten ordinary bread and other less delicate food; but he was content with pulse, and was continually lamenting and cherishing in his mind the memory of his country, which he would have soon forgotten if he had been plunged into those luxuries of the palace.