John Calvin Commentary Daniel 1:18-20

"And at the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 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. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his realm." — Daniel 1:18-20 (ASV)

Now, Daniel relates how he and his companions were brought forward at a set time. Three years had been appointed by the king for their instruction in all the learning of the Chaldeans, and for that reason, the chief of the eunuchs presented them. He shows how he and his companions were approved by the king and were preferred to all the rest.

By these words, he confirms my observation that the Lord, over a long period, had graced them with much favor, making them prominent throughout the royal palace, while the king himself recognized something uncommon in them. He, along with the courtiers, ought certainly to have formed such an opinion about these four young men as would express his sincere reverence for them.

Then God wished to display his own glory, since, without doubt, the king was compelled to wonder how they could surpass all the Chaldeans. This monarch had spared no expense on his own people and had not neglected to instruct them; but when he saw foreigners and captives who were so superior, a spirit of rivalry would naturally have arisen within him.

But, as I have already said, God wished to exalt himself in his servants, so that the king would be compelled to acknowledge something divine in these young men. From where, then, did this superiority come? For the Chaldeans boasted of their wisdom from birth and considered other nations to be barbarians.

The Jews, it would be argued, are eminent beyond all others. Truly, the God whom they worship distributes talent and perception at his will, since no one is naturally gifted unless he receives this grace from heaven.

God, therefore, must necessarily be glorified, because Daniel and his companions far surpassed the Chaldeans.

Thus God usually causes his enemies to gaze with wonder at his power, even when they most completely shun the light.

For what did King Nebuchadnezzar intend, if not to extinguish the very remembrance of God? He wished to have around him Jews of noble family who would oppose the very religion in which they were born.

But God frustrated this tyrant's plan and ensured that his own name became more illustrious. It now follows.