Daniel is the spokesman and leader of the four young men. It is important to note that only these four offer resistance to Nebuchadnezzar’s program of Babylonization.  We read, in Daniel 1:4, that Ashpenaz is to choose from a group of boys of royal and distinguished lineage, both from Judea and from all the tribes of Israel, but only these four young Judean men oppose Nebuchadnezzar’s process of secularization. The other youth of God's people go along with it. In fact, it seems that most of them go along with the world. They do not really see this as a problem. They are in Babylon now. It would be very dangerous to oppose the king’s regulations, or to protest against the situation. They now have an opportunity for a good position in the Babylonian empire, because of their education. Should they be risking a promising future because of faith? Will they not be able to help their people so much better later on if they keep quiet now and simply participate? A large segment of the youth of the church has already drifted away from a deep love and obedience to the Lord. They are not willing to give up everything to serve and live for him.

One sees here a great temptation that regularly meets believers and especially young believers. It is so attractive simply to go along with the majority, and not to stand out – especially to not be perceived as negative in the eyes of the majority. This temptation is all the more pronounced when from within the covenant people of God, from within the church, a large part sees no harm in acclimatizing.

We see that Daniel and his three friends continue to follow the Lord in the face of this temptation. How is this possible? It is important to note that our text literally says that Daniel, “resolved in his heart”. Daniel’s refusal to eat the food that is set before him has nothing to do with custom or human tradition. It is a matter of his heart. This young man wants to follow the Lord from his heart, based on genuine love. The Lord is everything to him. His love for the Lord is the controlling influence of his life. The same holds true for his three friends. To be connected to the Lord with our hearts is the most important thing in our lives, because this will guard us against wrong influences. The heart is the wellspring of our lives; it determines our emotions and actions. We read about this in Proverbs 4:23, Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. The writer of Proverbs, who really wants to follow in God’s way, also says, My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe [or: delight] in my ways (Proverbs 23:26).

Daniel and his friends, even though they are still young, receive the strength and courage to speak clearly to the world ruler, Nebuchadnezzar, and his gods. They will not eat the king’s food even though the king has said they must. For on the table there is not only food that is unclean according to God’s law at the time, there are also things on the table that may be partaken of according to God’s standards, such as the wine. Nowhere does the Lord forbid drinking wine under ordinary circumstances. This situation, however, is that the meal that appeared on the table at the Babylonian court has first been offered to the gods. Eating it is then seen as a sacrifice to the gods. Eating and drinking what is dedicated to the gods means participating in the worship of these Babylonian gods. This is why Daniel and his friends do not want to partake of any of the food and drink from the king’s table. They know the Lord is the only true and living God to be worshiped. The Lord gives these young men the courage of faith to stand firm.

Daniel now comes into action as the spokesman of the four. He approaches the chief eunuch. Many important servants in the court were eunuchs. A eunuch is someone who has been emasculated; he can no longer conceive offspring. It is also possible that this is not a eunuch in this sense, but that it should be translated as, “the chief of the courtiers.” We know from verse 3 that this refers to Ashpenaz. Daniel asks whether an exception can be made for him and his three friends.