Daniel starts in 605 BC. We read in Jeremiah how God had used Babylon as an instrument of judgement. Jehoiakim was carried off to Babylon, along with many others of the people and articles from temple. See how the book states clearly that it was God who sent Judah into exile. The Bible is God's book, not Israel's book. There were three deportations, 605 BC, which included Daniel; 597 BC and the final one in 586 BC after the destruction of the city and temple.
Babylon was quite a sophisticated society, and Nebuchadnezzar has Ashpenaz choose some of the brighter and good looking men to be trained so they could serve in the palace. They were to be given good food and good training, lasting three years. Then they would be ready to serve.
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were among those chosen. Daniel means "God is my judge", Hananiah means "the Lord shows grace", Mishael means "who is what God is?", and Azariah means "the Lord helps". The four were given new names, and these were names associated with the idols of Babylon.
So we see the four being assimilated into Babylonian society. Next we will see how they responded and the battles they went through. And we will see how God worked in and through their lives.
Thanks to my NIV study Bible for the historical information contained in this post.
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