Daniel 1:17

“As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, etc.] As they prospered in their bodies, they succeeded in their studies, and improved in their minds, and became great proficients in all kind of lawful and useful knowledge; not owing so much to their own sagacity and diligence, and the goodness and ability of their teachers, as to the blessing of God on their instructions and studies; for, as all natural, so all acquired parts are to be ascribed to God; and which these were favoured with by him in a very great manner, to answer some purposes of his. This is to be understood, not of magic art, vain philosophy, judicial astrology, to which the…”

“God gave them knowledge-- (Exo 31:2-3; Kg1 3:12; Job 32:8; Jam 1:5, Jam 1:17). Daniel had understanding in . . . dreams--God thus made one of the despised covenant-people eclipse the Chaldean sages in the very science on which they most prided themselves. So Joseph in the court of Pharaoh (Gen 40:5; Gen 41:1-8). Daniel, in these praises of his own "understanding," speaks not through vanity, but by the direction of God, as one transported out of himself. See my Introduction, "CONTENTS OF THE BOOK."”

“As for these four children - On the word “children,” see the notes at Daniel 1:4. Compare Daniel 1:6. God gave them knowledge and skill - See the notes at Daniel 1:9. There is no reason to suppose that in the “knowledge and skill” here referred to, it is meant to be implied that there was anything miraculous, or that there was any direct inspiration. Inspiration was evidently confined to Daniel, and pertained to what is spoken of under the head of “visions and dreams.” The fact that “all” this was to be attributed to God as his gift, is in accordance with the common method of speaking in the Scriptures; and it is also in accordance with “fact,” that “all” knowledge is to be traced to God.…”

“1:17 All four young men were outstanding students. God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret . . . visions and dreams, which were often prophetic (cp. Joseph, Gen 37:5-11).”

“God: Dan 2:21, Dan 2:23; Kg1 3:12, Kg1 3:28, Kg1 4:29-31; Ch2 1:10, Ch2 1:12; Job 32:8; Psa 119:98-100; Pro 2:6; Ecc 2:26; Isa 28:26; Luk 21:15; Act 6:10, Act 7:10; Col 1:9; Jam 1:5, Jam 1:17 knowledge: Act 7:22 Daniel had understanding: or, he made Daniel understand, Dan 4:9, Dan 4:10, Dan 5:11, Dan 5:12, Dan 5:14, Dan 10:1; Gen 41:8-15; Num 12:6; Ch2 26:5; Eze 28:3; Co1 12:7-11 Daniel 1:19”

“The progress of the young men in the wisdom of the Chaldeans, and their appointment to the service of the king. As God blessed the resolution of Daniel and his three friends that they would not defile themselves by the food, He also blessed the education which they received in the literature (ספר, Dan 1:17 as Dan 1:4) and wisdom of the Chaldeans, so that the whole four made remarkable progress therein. But besides this, Daniel obtained an insight into all kinds of visions and dreams, i.e., he attained great readiness in interpreting visions and dreams. This is recorded regarding him because of what follows in this book, and is but a simple statement of the fact, without any trace of…”