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The story begins in the third year of the reign of Jehokim, the 18th King of Judah (609-598). Nebuchadnezzar II had just become king of Babylon. He besieged the city of Jerusalem and took everything he wanted back to Babylon. He left Jehoiakim to reign over Judah, subject to him.
Nebuchadnezzar instructed Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to go to Jerusalem and bring back Jewish youths who were handsome, skillful and without blemish. He returned with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. Daniel's name was changed to Belshatzar, Hananiah's name was changed to Shadrack, Mishael's name was changed to Meshach and Azariah's name was changed to Abednego. These four youths were to be fed from the king's table.
Daniel did not want to "defile" himself by eating the rich food from the king's table which was not kosher, so he declined. He asked the king to allow them to do a test. For 10 days, Daniel and his friends would eat only vegetables and drink only water and during those 10 days, those at the king's table would eat of his rich food and drink wine. At the end of the 10 days, it was obvious to the king that the four youths had fared much better without the rich food and wine so he put everybody on vegetables and water, and Daniel and his friends, grew in wisdom and understanding.
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