Daniel Chapter 1 begins by the telling of how King Jehoiakim, king of Judah, was conquered by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.

Choosing Men to Train

King Nebuchadnezzar wanted to have some of the men from among the exiled members of the royal family to be his servants. He chose his chief administrator, Ashpenaz, to select good-looking, skilled, and educated youths.

Daniel was among them. Nebuchadnezzar believed in natural-born leadership and he intended to furnish this group with the necessary skills for leading his own people.

New Names are Given

During the three years of training, Daniel was given a new name, Belteschazzar. His three friends were also given new names, Hannaniah was called Shadrach, Mishael renamed Meshach, and Azariah to Abednego.

Daniel Asks for a Special Diet

These chosen young men were served food that was different from their accustomed Jewish diet. As a result, Daniel refused to eat this food. Instead, he asked for vegetables and water. This act would have been branded as rebellious and it would have warranted severe punishment, but God granted Daniel favor in the eyes of Ashpenaz.

Although the chief official liked Daniel, he feared the king and the wrath that would befall him if Daniel’s body deteriorated as a result of his requested diet.

Daniel’s Diet Put to the Test

Daniel suggests a 10-day plan to test the royal food against his vegetarian diet. Once the 10 days were up, the results fell in favor on Daniel and his friends because they appeared healthier. God gave Daniel and his three friends the gifts of discerning visions and dreams, which would prove invaluable later.

At the end of the training, King Nebuchadnezzar tested their knowledge and found that the four were very informed. Daniel continued to have a long and prosperous career until the reign of King Cyrus of Persia.

Daniel 1 (King James Version)

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;

4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.

11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

15 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.

16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

19 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.

20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.