Mark the grace and watchful eye of the Lord in this instance over his people, or we shall lose the chief beauty of the history. Surely, nothing but grace could have prompted young men, like Daniel and his companions, to use such an abstinence in the King's court, with all their passions about them. And nothing but the overruling of the Lord, could for a moment have prompted the mind the Prince that had the charge of the captives to listen to the voice of Daniel, at the evident hazard of incurring the displeasure of the King, who, in these countries were despotic. And nothing but the grace and blessing of the Lord upon the poor fare, could have led to the hope of such effects. For certain it is, it is contrary to the common operations of nature; a poverty of living, always must induce from mere natural causes, a poverty of countenance. But under God's blessing, what may not be expected? Let us not overlook the sweet spiritual instruction which this feeding holds forth to the Churches of Jesus. Let the Melzars of the present day suspend or take away the carnal portions of our meat and wine; Jesus will give the bread in secret; and his people, like their Lord, will have meat the world knoweth not of. This is the King's meat indeed, and sent from the King's table. And oh! what a fairness of countenance will it induce at the end of the days, making the soul glad with the light of the Lord's countenance.
Daniel 1:8-16
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
11 Then said Daniel to Melzar,b whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulsec to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.