The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-07-05
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR JULY 9.

Subject: Daniel in Babylon, Daniel l., g.
21-GoIden Text: Daniel t., s-Topic
of the Lesson: IChristian Integrity and
Its Reward-Commentary.
8. "Daniel purposed In his heart" he
determined what he would do, and then
took the wisest possible plan for gaining
his object. He does not express stubborn
determination and nuke open resistance
ut first, l.nt makes a courteous request.
Daniel was still firm in his religion. They
changed his name, but could not change
his nature. Whatever they pleased to call
him, he still retained the spirit of an
Israelite indeed. He would apply his mind
as closely as any OF them to his books, but
he was resolved he would not deflle him
selt-not out Of peevishness, sullenness, or
spirit OF contradiction, but from con-
science. The Jews were distinguished
from other nations very much by their
meats.
9. God had brought Daniel into favor
and tender love-" The favor Of others
toward the godly Is the doing OF God.
Daniel knew that to please God was the
best way to please Ashpenaz; not that this
prince cared about Daniels pleasing God,
but because God, being pleased with his
purposes and desires 10 be truo to Him,
OF Ashpenaz toward Him. Daniels sim
certify was not affected, for when God
brought him into favor with the prince,
be improved.his opportunity to use that
officers authority to keep him from sin.
10. 81 fear my lord the king" He does
not positively refuse the favor which
Daniel seeks, but in order to avoid the
royal displeasures, he must render at least
q formal and apparent obedience to the
command he had received; aside from
this, he shows his readiness 10 exercise
every possible forbearance toward his
wards.
II. "Melzar." The chief butler, or stew.
ard, the one who had charge OF their food.
Daniel applied to him because he was the
one who furnished the food. 1t is implied
that Daniel had permission from the prince
to do this; otherwise it would have been
disobedience and insult, and unworthy Of
Daniel.
IL. prove" Test US; experiment for
short time and watch the result. "Give us
pulse" A vegetable diet, with water in
stead Of wine.
13. '"Then deal with thy servants" These
words were spoken with quiet confidence
as to the result. A number OF other boys
besides these four were undergoing the
same training. A fair test, to place these
young abstainers beside those who partook
OF the royal banquets, and see which COM
pany presented the most vigorous appeal
ance.
IS. "Fairer and fatter." The complexion
healthier and clearer. God meant that Il
a man would be Incorporate he should
himself proclaim it to the world. The glut-
ton, the drunkard, the debauchee, carry
the stamp Of their deeds upon their feat
ures. A depraved character corrupts the
flesh that carries It.
II. "God gave them knowledge and
skill" Some OF it was direct from Him, as
the visions; some was by blessing their
daily studies-by opening doors to wider
knowledge, by aiding their thoughts and
Judgments; also by keeping them from
those vices and prejudices which weaken
the mind. Whatever We may give to God
of faith, or work, or trust. or love, or zeal,
He gives back again with large interest,
good measure, pressed down and shaken
thirty, sixty, or an hundred fold, In what
ever we need most for Him. "In all learn
ing" In science, astronomy. literature,
philosophy, the Chaldeans stood at this
time at the head Of the world. They had
the beginnings Of chemistry and even OF
the telescope. "In all visions and dreams"
God gave double portion to Daniel. he
was endued With a prophetical spirit, BY
which be was enabled to converse with
God and to receive the notices Of divine
things in dreams and visions. Visions were
and dreams when asleep. BY divine power
the young Hebrew captive obtained
knowledge surprising that OF the wlsest
master.
18. "End Of these days" After three
years (v. 81, the time fixed for their trail-
ing.
10. "The king communed with them"
Talked with them, tested their progress,
learning and talents. He put them through
test examination. "There stood they be.
fore the king" To be his personal advisers
and among the leading officers OF the king
dom. All officers and servants stood when
In the presence OF the monarch.
20. "He found them ten times better"
Probably high court Of learning was held,
at which the King presided and the mobiles
and sages of the land assisted. These pro-
posed difficult questions, which the youths
readily answered, and we're In turn allowed
to put questions which the sages could not
answer: They were better counselors,
better informed.
81. "Daniel continued" In influence and
authority, at different times, during the
whole OF the seventy years OF captivity. 1t
Is commonly believed that when the cap
tives returned he remained in Chaldea,
probably detained by his employment In
the Persian Empire, and that he died either
In Babylon or Shushan. 1.-The first year or
King Cyrus" That Is, to the end OF the
Chaldean Empire. Cyrus conquered Baby
lon, and thus the monarchy passed from
the Chaldeans to the Persians. At this time
the proclamation was issued by Cyrus to
rebuild the temple at Jerusalem. B. G. 5S4.
He was one Of the first captives taken to-
Babylon B. G. e04, lived to see the deliver
ance OF his people and their return to their
own land. This being 30 remarkable q
year, the text takes notice that Daniel
lived to that time, but does not say how
much longer; but Dan. L, shows that he
lived until the third year Of Cyruss reign.