“Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess:” (1Ch 3:1 AV)

Daniel is an interesting individual.  Other than the genealogies of David found here and in 2Sam3, there is nary a word written of him.  According to Jewish history, this man had an interesting past.  Or, supposedly so.  In 2Sam3, the name Chileab is used.  It means, “in every respect like to his father.”  It is supposed that at the death of Nabal, Abigail became David’s wife and very soon became pregnant.  It was so soon after that there was a question as to who fathered this child.  Was it David or Nabal?  So, the name of Chileab was given to the child as well as Daniel, which means “God is my judge.”  There was no doubt in the mind of David that he was the child’s father. What I find interesting is there is no other mention of this man in all of scripture.  Specially as David was close to passing and Adonijah declared himself king in the stead of Solomon, Daniel or Chileab is nowhere mentioned.  He was the second born and the first born was dead.  Why didn’t Daniel stand in and do what Adonijah did?  There is no biblical explanation given.  We are left to conjecture.

I am fascinated with the list of Bible people who are unsung or unmentioned heroes in the plan of God.  Like the midwife who delivered Jesus.  Nowhere is she mentioned.  But someone had to testify to the fact of the birth being a virgin birth.  Only the midwife would have that knowledge.  Daniel is much the same in that the Bible never records anything of him standing in the way of Solomon becoming king.  We don’t know if he supported it.  But there is no record of him trying to frustrate it.  The provider of the ass upon which Christ rode or the room which they rented for the last supper never provide the names of those who did those things.  If one were to use their imagination, there are countless people behind the scenes that participate in the plan of God which we will never realize.  The widow who faithfully prays for her church and her pastor.  The young person who reaches down and picks up a scrap of paper, or the virtuous woman who greets a visitor with a warm smile.  The gentleman who holds open the door for guests arriving at church, the family that picks up another for church or provides a way home, or young man willing to clean the white board for his Sunday school teacher.  There are countless of people who do things that no one else would see.  Yet their impact is bigger than anyone can imagine.  We should be thankful for them!  We could pray for them even if we don’t know their names.  Or even who they are.  They are important!  They are necessary!