(86) Daniel becomes the king's counselor

 

 

During king Jehoiakim's reign in Judah, 

before Judah was destroyed,

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked Judah

and took some treasures and

some of the young men of Judah as captives.

 

As for the captives,

King Nubuchadnezzar ordered his officials

to select strong, healthy, and good-looking young men

to have them serve in the royal court.

 

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were 4 of the young men chosen.

 

They were to have the best food and wine,

and to be trained for 3 year period.

 

But Daniel and his 3 friends made up their mind

not to defile themselves by eating

the food and wine given them by the king.

 

The official was worried that the king might punish him

for not having them eat the best food.

 

So Daniel suggested him to test them

for 10 days on a diet of  vegetables and water only.

 

After 10 days, Daniel and his 3 friends looked

healthier than other who had been eating the food given by the king.

 

God also gave Daniel and his friends

wisdom and uncanny abilities for learning

the literature and science of the time.

 

God especially gave Daniel

an ability in understanding the meanings of

visions and dreams.

 

After 3 years of training,

Daniel and his 3 friends were selected

to be king's staff of advisers.