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.
Now this surprising event took place, — Daniel contracted neither leanness nor debility from that mean food, but his face was as shirting as if he had continued to feed most delicately; hence we gather as I have already said, that he was divinely impelled to persist firmly in his own design, and not to pollute himself with the royal diet.
Daniel kept his conscience clean, refusing the king's meat and wine, though his name was changed by his captors. God gave him favour with the official, and his steadfast principle, not sullenness, but genuine scruple, showed that a tractable spirit and firm religion are not opposed but joined together.
AI summary
Commenting on Daniel 1:8-16
And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer, and fatter in flesh,.... At the time fixed for the trial of them, when they came to be examined, they appeared to be of a better complexion, and a more healthful look, and even plumper and fatter, with good solid flesh, and not swelled up as persons in a dropsy: than all the children...