Kings Saul, David, Solomon 1 & 2 Samuel 1 Kings 1-11 United Kingdom: 1095 – 930 BC Kings Saul, David, Solomon 1 & 2 Samuel 1 Kings 1-11 Civil War: 930 BC Two countries: Israel and Judah 1 Kings 12 Israel: 930 – 725 BC 200+ yrs. of non-stop rebellion; destroyed in 725 BC 1 Kings 12 - 2 Kings 17 Judah: 930 – 586 BC 300+ years of on-and-off rebellion; taken into exile in 586 BC 1 Kings 14 – 2 Kings 25

Daniel 1:1-2 A siege, a captured king, and some stolen “vessels”

3 The king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his court officials, to bring some of the Israelites from the royal family and from the nobility – 4 young men without any physical defect, good-looking, suitable for instruction in all wisdom, knowledgeable, perceptive, and capable of serving in the king’s palace…. Daniel 1:3-4

4 …and to teach them the Chaldean language and literature. 5 The king assigned them daily provisions from the royal food and from the wine that he drank. They were to be trained for three years, and at the end of that time they were to serve in the king’s court. Daniel 1:4-5

6 Among them, from the descendants of Judah, were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them other names: he gave the name Belteshazzar to Daniel, Shadrach to Hananiah, Meshach to Mishael, and Abednego to Azariah. Daniel 1:6-7

Takeaway #1: Keep your eyes wide open because the “world” is constantly trying to pull you away from God and His ways.

Be alert and self-controlled, for your enemy the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, trying to destroy you. 1 Peter 5:7 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition…and not based on Christ. Colossians 2:8

Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank.

So Daniel said to the guard….

God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind. Daniel 1:17

God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind. Daniel 1:17

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

We need to find out what we are good at…and do that because our best contribution to life will be through our strengths!

Spiritual gifts Heart Aptitudes Personality Experiences firstmbchurch.org/shape

Daniel 1 takeaways: We must keep our eyes wide open because the world is constantly trying to pull us away from God and His ways. Find what you are good at because your best contribution will be through your strengths.