1. The Historical Setting: The Babylonian Captivity Daniel 1
Exposition of Daniel
The Historical Setting:
The Babylonian Captivity
Daniel 1

2. Historical Background – Despite decades of solemn warning by Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah, and many other faithful prophets, the people's flagrant apostasy and immorality--described in 2 Chronicles 36:16: "They mocked God's messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against his people and there was no remedy"--brought about the total destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, a destruction that God had warned his people about ever since the time of Moses (cf. Deut 28:64; 29:28). The covenant people had at last been expelled from their Promised Land and their Holy City and were condemned to captivity and enslavement in a foreign land.
In 605 BC, Nebuchadnezzar led Babylon against Egypt at the Battle of Carchemish. (His father, Nabopolassar, was still alive at this time and sat upon the throne). Egypt was defeated and Carchemish was destroyed. While pursuing the fleeing Egyptians Nebuchadnezzar also conquered key cities in Syria and Palestine. Then, as he made his way back north, he stopped in Jerusalem and demanded its submission (“laid siege to it”). It was here that he plundered the temple and took a number of young men, including Daniel and his 3 friends, captive to Babylon. These were taken not for punishment, but rather to be trained for positions of leadership within the Babylonian Empire.

3. Outline of Daniel 1 The Captivity of Jerusalem (1:1-2)
The Conscription of Certain Jews for Special Training (1:3-7)
The Commitment of Daniel and His Companions (1:8-16)
The Choice of Daniel and His Companions for Royal Service (1:17-21)

5. Cuneiform

6. Names of Daniel and His Friends
Hebrew Name
Meaning
Babylonian Name
(Not as Certain)
Daniel
“God is my Judge.”
Belteshazzar
“May Bel protect his life.”
Hananiah
“Yahweh is gracious.”
Shadrach
Possibly “Command of Aku”
Mishael
“Who is what God is?”
Meshach
Possibly “Who is what Aku is?”
Azariah
“Yahweh has helped.”
Abed-nego
“Servant of Nego”
(May be a corrupted spelling; “Nebo” was a well-known god.
Note: all the Hebrew names have either el or yah, indicating the connection with God.

7. Next Time: The First Dream of Nebuchadnezzar
Daniel 2