The Book of Daniel, chapter by chapter and verse by verse

 Daniel 1:3-7 KJV (5 verses)

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;

The "king's seed" here means the reigning king of Jerusalem at that time, who was now taken out of power by Nebuchadnezzar.

4 Children in whom there 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.

Nebuchadnezzar was big on education. This is why Daniel was chosen as one of these "children", because he was educated and wise.

Nebu = god of wisdom. "tongue of the Chaldeans" means the Babylonian language.

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.

Babylonian food was not clean for the children of Israel.

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

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

(You may remember the song, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego" from children's church, speaking of the three who were thrown into the fiery furnace). Next blog post will show us how Daniel handled the food situation and what happened as a result.