And Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines." And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein.

So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.

[{183}]

DANIEL.
STORIES OF THE MAN WHO WOULD RATHER DIE THAN DO WRONG.

Daniel is the great Jewish hero of that long period of exile when the nation was captive in a strange land. This was the gloomiest and most distressful time in the nation's history, and afterward in other dark days these stories were told to cheer the people and give them courage.

How Daniel and His Three Friends Refused to Eat the Food of Princes.

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Jerusalem, and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God. And the king spoke to Ashpenaz, that he should bring in certain of the children of Israel, even of the royal family and of the nobles; youths in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and such as had ability to stand in the king's palace; and that he should teach them the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

And the king appointed for them a daily portion of the king's food, and of the wine which he drank, and that [{184}] they should be nourished three years; that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were, of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. And the king's officer gave names unto them: unto Daniel he gave the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's food, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the king's officer that he might not defile himself. Now God made Daniel to find favor and compassion in the sight of the king's officer. And he said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your food and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse looking than the youths which are of your own age? so should ye endanger my head with the king."

Then said Daniel to the steward, whom the king's officer had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: "Test thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenances of the youths that eat of the king's food; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants."

So he hearkened to them in this matter, and tested them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths which did eat of the king's food. So the steward took away their food, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse. Now as for these four [{185}] youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. And at the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in, the king's officer brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his realm.