Bible Story of Daniel - Bible Stories for Kids

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Bible Story of Daniel

Daniel 1:1-6

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King Nebuchadnezzar captured several groups of Jews. He made them into slaves and forced them to live in Babylon. The last group were madeprisoners when Jerusalem was set on fire and destroyed. Among the firstgroup, taken eighteen years earlier,were young men from rich families inJudah. One was a boy named Daniel.Daniel and three of his friends camefrom leading Jewish families. KingNebuchadnezzar had ordered that, ofthe prisoners, the best-looking, strongest and cleverest boys should beput in a special school. There theywould be taught three years byBabylonian teachers. After that, thebest of the best would get to work forthe king himself.

Now Daniel and his friends did nothave to be slaves anymore. But theydid have to try and please theBabylonians. And because they wereJewish, because they were different,sometimes this was hard to do.

Daniel and his friends knew they weredifferent. They didn't mind. Theywere proud to be members of God'schosen people.

Daniel's friends were calledHananiah, Mishael and Azariah.Together they were the cleverest of allthe boys brought to Babylon. TheBabylonians made these boys studythe history and books and language ofBabylon. And they gave themBabylonian names.

The king's chief, a man named Ashpenaz, renamed the boys. Danielbecame Belteshazzar. Hananiahbecame Shadrach. Mishael was calledMeshach. Azariah was renamedAbed-nego.

King Nebuchadnezzar ordered theboys to eat only the best of foods.They were supposed to eat plenty offresh vegetables and meat, as well asdrink wine every day.

There was only one problem,though. The meat and wine which theBabylonians gave to Daniel and hisfriends were not the sort which God'speople were allowed to have. Thelaws which God had given Moses saidJews could eat only certain types ofmeat. This meat had to come fromanimals which had been killed incertain ways.

Daniel and his friends had learnedthese rules as little boys, when they

Daniel went to Ashpenaz. He pointedat the food on the table. "Please sir,I've come to ask your help. I can'tfollow the king's orders."

Ashpenaz looked at the boystanding before him. God had warmedthe heart of Ashpenaz toward Daniel.As he listened, he already knew hewould help this boy, no matter whatthe cost.

"But Daniel, you can't do that. Ifthe king finds out I haven't fed you ashe ordered, he'll have me killed. Whatwill I do when he sees your faceslooking paler and thinner than thoseof the other boys?"

Daniel was quiet for a moment.Then he smiled, "I know!"

He ran over to the guard Ashpenazhad chosen for him. "Could you giveme and my friends ten days? Feed usonly vegetables and give us only waterto drink. When ten days are up, see ifwe look better or worse than the otherboys who get the king's special food.After that you can decide what weshould eat." The guard looked over atAshpenaz. He nodded. The contestbegan.

The guard kept his word. For ten dayshe let Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael andAzariah eat only vegetables and drinkonly water. At the end of that time thefour boys did exercises in front ofAshpenaz.

Ashpenaz could not believe hiseyes! Daniel and his friends had gained more weight than the otherboys! Not only that, their eyes sparkled. Their smiles shone. Theother boys were out of breath, whileDaniel and his friends still had plentyof energy left!

Ashpenaz told the guard that for therest of the three years the boys couldeat only vegetables and drink onlywater. God continued to bless themand they grew big and strong.

God also helped the four boysbecome very clever and wise. Theylearned all they could about the books,history and language of Babylon.Daniel could even tell people whattheir dreams meant.

When three years were over, Ashpenaz brought the boys to KingNebuchadnezzar. The king tested themon all they had learned. He askedthem many hard questions. Of all theboys there, the best and wisest answerswere always given by Daniel,

Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. Sothe king himself chose them to be hisadvisers.

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