Micah 4

Micah 4:1

The learning and the tongue - The Chaldeans were skilled above any other nation, in natural philosophy. Their tongue differed from the Hebrew in dialect and in pronunciation, which they learned that they might be the more acceptable to the king, and court.

Micah 4:2

The king’s meat - Such as he had at his own table.

Micah 4:3

And Azariah - Probably all of the royal lineage of Judah.

Micah 4:4

Gave names - That is, other names, relating to the idol - gods. Belteshazzar - So Daniel had the name of Belteshazzar, from the great Babylonian idol Baal or Bell. This was by the king’s command, and herein he put forth an act: of his sovereignty.

Micah 4:5

But Daniel purposed - There may be several weighty reasons assigned why Daniel did this. Because many of those meats provided for the king’s table, were forbidden by the Jewish law. Daniel knew these delicates would too much gratify the flesh. He did not dare to eat and drink things consecrated to idols. He was sensible, how unsuitable delicate fare would be to the afflicted state of God’s people. Therefore he was herein a rare pattern of avoiding all the occasions of evil.

Micah 4:12

Fairer and fatter - The blessing of God upon homely fare, affords often more health and strength, than more costly fare to them that eat the fat, and drink the sweet.