The Book of Daniel Part 3
Daniel 1:11-2:13
A. The Historical Background — 1:1-7
B. The Testing of Daniel and His Friends — 1:8-16
1. Daniel’s Request of the Commander — 1:8-10
2. The Request of the Steward — 1:11-16
a. The steward reported to Ashpenez, not the king (v11)
b. Examine us after ten days of vegetables and water (v12-13)
c. The steward agreed (v14)
d. After ten days they were fatter and healthier looking (v15)
e. So they maintained the diet for the three year period (v16)
C. The Blessing of Daniel — 1:17-21
1. God gave them knowledge and intelligence (v17)
2. Ashpenez presents them to the king (v18)
3. He found these four to be superior to all the others (v19)
4. They were found to be ten times better than everyone else (v20)
5. Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus (v21)
D. The Significance of Daniel 1 to the Times of the Gentiles
1. There is always a believing remnant of Israel.
2. The believing remnant still suffer for divine punishment.
II. The Dream of the Image —2:1-49
A. The Demand of Nebuchadnezzar — 2:1-30
1. The challenge to the wise men — 2:1-13
a. Nebuchadnezzar had troubling dreams; couldn’t sleep (v1)
b. He demanded the wise men tell him his dream (v2)
c. He wanted to know the meaning of a specific dream (v3)
d. “Tell us the dream and we’ll interpret it” (v4)
e. Tell me the dream and interpret it, or else! (v5)
f. If you can; rewards, gifts, and honor (v6)
g. Again, “Tell us the dream and we’ll interpret it” (v7)
h. “I am firm with my demand, stop trying to gain time" (v8)
i. You lie and corrupt words, validate yourselves (v9)
j. “This is an impossible request, nobody can do that” (v10)
k. They admitted they couldn’t do what they claimed (v11)
l. The king became furious and decreed to destroy the entire school, including Daniel and the three friends (v12-13)
