דניאל, פרק א׳, פסוק ט״ז

A secret agreement between Daniel, his friends, and the royal steward quickly becomes a daily routine. Instead of merely withholding the royal food and wine assigned to the young men, the steward actively takes these rich provisions for himself. He collects the expensive meals from the king's officials and either keeps them or sells them to others, replacing the youths' diet with cheap and simple seeds [מצודת דוד, אלשיך, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This arrangement provides the steward with a double benefit. He profits significantly by trading inexpensive seeds for royal delicacies, and he manages to keep the entire operation hidden from the rest of the king's staff, which is crucial since his actions are likely illegal [אלשיך, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This exchange is not a brief occurrence, but a continuous and established practice [יוסף אבן יחיא].

Behind the steward's self-serving actions lies the profound dedication of Daniel and his companions. They willingly walk away from the luxurious meals they are accustomed to, choosing instead to eat basic seeds with genuine joy and a willing heart. Daniel goes so far as to put his own life in actual danger just to maintain his spiritual purity. Because of this deep commitment and spiritual readiness, the young men earn special divine protection. God watches over them directly, ensuring that they remain healthy and strong despite their minimal diet [מלבי״ם].