Daniel 1 introduces us to Daniel and his companions during the Babylonian captivity. In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, King of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, besieged Jerusalem and took captives from among the nobility and royal descendants. Among these captives were Daniel and his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
The king ordered his chief eunuch, Ashpenaz, to select young men from the captives who were intelligent, skillful, and good-looking. These chosen ones were to be trained in the language and literature of the Babylonians, serving in the king’s palace for three years. Daniel and his friends were among those selected.
Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself with the king’s food and wine. Instead, he requested to eat only vegetables and water. Though initially concerned, the king’s chief eunuch agreed to test their diet for ten days. At the end of this period, Daniel and his friends appeared healthier and more robust than those who ate the king’s rich food. As a result, they were allowed to continue with their chosen diet.
God blessed Daniel and his friends with knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. He gave Daniel the ability to interpret dreams and visions. When the training period was complete, the king found them to be ten times better in wisdom and understanding than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom.