Daniel was taken into exile from the Southern Kingdom to Babylon in 605 BC by King Nebuchadnezzar of the Assyrians. This was before the final exile of the Southern Kingdom in 586 BC. He was still living in exile when the Medes and Persians overthrew the Assyrians. He is treated as a prophet by Christians, but not by the Jews.
The book of Daniel begins by describing Daniel and his friends being taken into exile, then being chosen to serve in the king’s court. Immediately, Daniel and his friends begin to distinguish themselves by following Hebrew dietary laws, and by being very intelligent. Daniel not only is wise, but is also able to interpret dreams.
Daniel is filled with some of the best-known stories in the Bible: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego delivered from the blazing furnace; Daniel’s interpretations of various dreams; the writing on the wall; Daniel in the lions’ den; and Daniel’s many visions and dreams. Through all these times, both good and bad, Daniel remained faithful to God.
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