determined devotion

In 605 BC, King Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem. He returned to Babylon with the spoils of his victory. The king also brought back Jews of royal and noble descent as hostages to ensure Judah's continued submission to Babylon (Daniel 1:2-3).

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the select Jewish youths given a Babylonian education (vv.4-6). This was specialized reprogramming…