John Calvin Commentary Daniel 1:9

"Now God made Daniel to find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs." — Daniel 1:9 (ASV)

Daniel, yesterday, related what he had asked from the master to whose care he had been committed. He now adds his account to show this request was quite unobjectionable, since the prefect of the eunuchs treated him kindly. The crime would have been fatal if Daniel had been brought into the king’s presence.

Although he very probably did not use the word “pollution,” and openly and directly call the royal diet a “defilement,” it may still be easily conjectured from the words he now records. He likely asked the prefect to be permitted to eat pulse because he did not consider himself allowed to partake of the royal diet.

Yesterday, we explained the reason; but the king of Babylon would immediately have been angry if he had known this. "What!" he would say, "I honor these captives, when I might abuse them as slaves; indeed, I nourish them delicately like my own children, and yet they reject my food, as if I were polluted."

This, therefore, is the reason why Daniel here relates that he was in favor with that prefect. For, as we shall see in the next verse, the prefect simply denied his request. Where, then, was any favor shown? But though he was not willing to grant Daniel's requests, he showed a singular kindness in not taking him before the king, since courtiers are ready with any accusation for the sake of obtaining favor.

Then, very probably, the prefect would know that this had been granted to Daniel by his servant. If, then, there was any connivance on the part of the prefect, this is the favor and pity of which Daniel now speaks. His intention, then, is by no means doubtful, since he did not hesitate to adopt a different course of life in order to remain pure and spotless, and uncontaminated by the delicacies of the palace of Babylon.

He expresses how he escaped the danger, because the prefect treated him kindly, when he might have instantly caused his death. But we must notice the form of speech used here: God placed him in favor and pity before that prefect. He might have used the usual phrase, merely saying he was favorably treated; but, as he found a barbarian so humane and merciful, he ascribes this benefit to God.

This phrase, as we have expounded it, is customary with the Hebrews. For example, it is said (Psalms 106:46), God gave the Jews favor in the sight of the heathen who had led them captive. This means He took care that their conquerors should not rage so cruelly against them as they had done at first. We know how the Jews were often treated harshly, roughly, and contemptuously.

Since this inhumanity was mitigated here, the Prophet attributes it to God, who prepared mercies for His people. The result is this: Daniel obtained favor with the prefect, because God bent the heart of a man, otherwise unsoftened, to clemency and humanity. His object in this narrative is to urge us to greater earnestness in duty if we have to undergo any difficulties when God calls us.

It often happens that we cannot fulfill everything which God requires and demands without imminent danger to our lives. Sloth and weakness naturally creep over us and induce us to reject the cross. Daniel, therefore, gives us courage to obey God and His commands, and here states the favor he experienced with the prefect, since God granted His servant favor while faithfully performing his duty.

Hence let us learn to cast our care upon God when worldly terror oppresses us, or when men forbid us with threats to obey God’s commands. Here let us acknowledge the power of God’s hand to turn the hearts of those who rage against us, and to free us from all danger.

This, then, is the reason why Daniel says the prefect was kind to him. Meanwhile, we gather the general doctrine from this passage: that men’s hearts are divinely governed, as it shows us how God softens their iron hardness and turns the wolf into the lamb. For when He brought His people out of Egypt, He gave them favor with the Egyptians, so that they carried with them their most precious vessels.

It is clear enough that the Egyptians were hostile towards the Israelites. Why then did they so freely offer them the most valuable of their household goods? Only because the Lord inspired their hearts with new affections. So, again, the Lord can exasperate our friends and cause them afterwards to rise up in hostility against us.

Let us perceive, then, that in both respects, the will is in God’s power: either to bend the hearts of men to humanity or to harden those which were naturally tender. It is true, indeed, that everyone has a peculiar disposition from birth: some are ferocious, warlike, and bloodthirsty; others are mild, humane, and tractable.

This variety springs from God’s secret ordination; but God not only forms everyone’s disposition at birth, but every day and every moment, if it seems good to Him, changes everyone’s affections. He also blinds men’s minds and rouses them again from their stupor. For we sometimes see the rudest men endowed with much acuteness and show exceptional ingenuity in action, while others who excel in foresight fail when they need judgment and discretion.

We must consider the minds and hearts of men to be so governed by God’s secret influence that He changes their affections just as He pleases. Therefore, there is no reason why we should so greatly fear our enemies, even though they vomit forth their rage with open mouth and are overflowing with cruelty, for they can be turned aside by the Lord.

And so, let us learn from Daniel’s example to go on fearlessly in our course and not to turn aside, even if the whole world should oppose us. God can easily and readily remove all impediments, and we shall find that those who were formerly most cruel become humane when the Lord wishes to spare us. We now understand the meaning of the words of this verse, as well as the Prophet’s intention.