[1] In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.


God allowed Nebuchadnezzar to capture Judah's king, Jehoiakim. He also allowed him to take some of the valuable items from God's temple.  Nebuchadnezzar took some of the items to the area named Shinar (now called Iraq). Shinar was in Babylonia, and Nebuchadnezzar took the items from God's temple to the temple of the Babylonian god.
[2] And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.


Nebuchadnezzar talked to one of his helpers named Ashpenaz.  He told Ashpenaz to bring some of the Israelites to the king's palace. He should bring some of the Judah's king's children or relatives.  They should be perfect with nothing wrong with them. They should be smart and talented.  They will stay in Nebuchadnezzar's palace and learn the language of the Chaldeans (the people who lived in Babylonia).
[3] And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
[4] Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.


They will eat the king's food and drink the king's wine. After three years, they will meet the king.
[5] And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.


These were some of the young men who went to Nebuchadnezzar's palace:  Daniel,  Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The king's helper gave them new names.  Daniel's name was changed to Belteshazzar.  Hananiah's name was changed to Shadrach.  Mishael's name was changed to Meshach. Azariah's name was changed to Abed-nego.
[6] Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
[7] Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.

 

Daniel and the other 3 Israelite men refuse to eat the king's food.
 

Daniel and the other young men refuse to eat the Babylonian food. From TheBibleRevival.com

Daniel decided that he would not eat the king's food or drink the king's wine.
[8] But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.


God made the king's helper like Daniel.  He said that if Daniel didn't eat the king's food and drink the king's wine, he would look worse than the other Israelites.  Then, the king would be mad and might cut off the helper's head.
[9] Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
[10] And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
 

The king's helper's name was Melzar. He was in charge of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Daniel talked to Melzar. He made a deal with him. He said that he and the others would not eat the king's food for 10 days.  They will eat only pulse. Then Melzar can compare them to

 people who did eat the king's food.  He can see if they look worse than the people who ate the king's food. If they look worse, he can decide what to do with them.[11] Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
[12] Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
[13] Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.


Melzar agreed.  Daniel and the other 3 Israelites ate only pulse for 10 days. At the end of the 10 days, they looked better and fatter than the people who ate the king's food.
[14] So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
[15] And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
 

Melzar stopped bringing them the king's food and wine. He brought them only pulse.
[16] Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

 

King Nebuchadnezzar meets with the young Jewish men.


God made the 4 young Jewish men smart. Daniel could understand dreams and visions.
[17] As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

When three years had ended, the king's helper took the young men to see King Nebuchadnezzar.
[18] Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

The king talked to them. He was very impressed with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.  The king asked them questions. He found that they were smarter than the magicians and astrologers that worked for him.
[19] And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
[20] And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

Daniel continued to work in the king's palace until Cyrus became the king.
[21] And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
 

The king wanted someone to tell him what his dreams meant. He called his magicians, astrologers, sorcerers (witches), and the group of people called the Chaldeans.
[2] Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.


The king told the helpers about his dream. He wanted them to tell him what the dream meant.
[3] And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.


The Chaldeans said they could tell the king what his dream meant.  They asked him to tell them his dream. Then they will tell him what it meant.
[4] Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.


But the king said they must tell him the dream and what the dream meant. They will be punished if they don't tell him both. They will be killed and cut into pieces. Their houses will be covered with waste.  They will get rewards if they tell him the dream and what it meant.
[5] The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.
[6] But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.


The Chaldeans asked the king to tell him their dream. The king said they are trying to stretch out time. If they don't tell him his dream, they know what will happen to them. In the past, they did not tell the king the truth. Now the king wants them to tell him the dream and what the dream meant.
[7] They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.
[8] The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.
[9] But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.


The Chaldeans answered the king.  They said there is no man on earth that can tell the king what he dreamed. No king has ever asked that before.
[10] The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.

The Chaldeans said that only the gods can do what they king is ordering.
[11] And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.

The king was very angry. He made a new order. He said that all of the wise men in Babylon should be killed.  The order meant that Daniel and the other 3 Jewish men would also be killed.
[12] For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
[13] And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.
 

One of the king's guards was named Arioch. He was getting ready to go and kill the wise men in Babylon. Daniel asked him why the king made this order. Arioch told him what happened with the king and the Chaldeans.
[14] Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:
[15] He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.
 

Daniel told the king that he would tell him his dream. But he needed some time. Then Daniel went back to his house and told Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what was happening. He asked them to pray to God about this. He asked them to pray so they won't die with the other wise men in Babylon.
[16] Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.
[17] Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
[18] That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
 

God showed Daniel the king's dream in a vision at night. Then Daniel blessed God. This is what Daniel said to God:

Your name is blessed forever. Wisdom and strength are God's. God changes the times and the seasons. He removes kings and sets up kings. He makes wise people have more wisdom. He makes understanding people know more.  He reveals secret things. He knows what is in the darkness. Light is in Him. Daniel thanks God and praises Him. God has given Daniel wisdom and strength. He has told Daniel about the king's dream.

[19] Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
[20] Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
[21] And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
[22] He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
[23] I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.


Then Daniel went in to see Arioch.  Arioch was supposed to kill the wise men of Babylon. Daniel asked him not to kill the men. He asked him to take him in to see the king. He will tell the king about his dream.
[24] Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.


Arioch hurried and took Daniel to see the king. He told the king that there was a Jewish man who could tell him about his dream.
[25] Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.


The king asked Daniel (his Babylonian named was Belteshazzar) if he could tell him his dream and what the dream means.  Daniel said that wise men, astrologers, magicians, and fortune tellers can't tell Nebuchadnezzar his dream.  But God in Heaven can tell him the king's dream. God told him about Nebuchadnezzar's dream about things that will happen in the future.
[26] The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?
[27] Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;
[28] But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;


Daniel told the king that his dream showed what will happen in the future. He said that God showed him the dream. Daniel is not more smart than the other men. God showed Daniel the king's dream so that he can explain it to the king.
[29] As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
[30] But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.
 

The king's dream
 

The king saw a large statue. It was very large and very bright.  The head was made of gold. The middle part was silver, the next part was brass, the legs were iron, and the feet were part iron and part clay.
[31] Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.
[32] This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
[33] His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.


A big rock that no one cut hit the statue. The rock hit the feet of the statue and broke them.
[34] Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.


Then the other parts of the statue broke. They broke into little tiny pieces like the tiny pieces of chaff from wheat. The wind carried the statue pieces away.  The rock that hit the statue became a big mountain. It was so big that it filled the whole earth.
[35] Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.


That was the dream, and now Daniel will tell the king what the dream means.
[36] This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.


Daniel said that Nebuchadnezzar is the king of everything.  God has given him a big kingdom and much power.  He is king over all people and animals. He is the golden head of the statue.
[37] Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
[38] And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.


After Nebuchadnezzar is not king anymore, there will be a new king. But that king's kingdom will not be as good as Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom. Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom is like gold, but the next kingdom will only be like silver.  The kingdom after that will be less, and it will be like brass.  That kingdom will rule over all of the earth.
[39] And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.


The fourth kingdom will be strong like iron. Iron can break and destroy other things.
[40] And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.


The statue's feet and toes were iron and clay together. That kingdom will have 2 parts. One part will be strong like iron, and the other part will be easy to break like clay.  The iron and clay don't mix together, but they are two separate parts. This kingdom will not be strong because both parts are not strong.
[41] And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
[42] And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
[43] And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
 

During these kingdoms, God will set up a kingdom, too. God's kingdom will never be destroyed. People will not control God's kingdom. God's kingdom will break down and take over all of the kingdoms on earth. God's kingdom will rule forever.
[44] And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.


God has shown Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future.  God's kingdom will be more powerful than the kingdoms on earth. God will break the kingdoms on earth the way the big rock broke the pieces of the statue. Daniel said that the dream is true, and the dream truly tells the future.
[45] Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
 

Then the king bowed down and fell on his face. He worshipped Daniel.  He gave an order to give Daniel an offering and burn incense for him.
[46] Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.


The king said that Daniel's God is the Lord.  Daniel proved that to the king by interpreting his dream.
[47] The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.


The king made Daniel a great man. He gave him many great gifts. He made him the ruler over the Babylon province (area).  He was in charge of the wise men in Babylon.
[48] Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.


Daniel asked the king to make the other Jewish men leaders. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were made leaders in the area of Babylon. Daniel worked in the king's palace.
[49] Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.
 

The 3 men answered the king. They said they do not have to answer the king about this. They said that if God can save them from the fire, He will save them. But, even if God doesn't save them, they will not worship Nebuchadnezzar's statue.
[16] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
[17] If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
[18] But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.


Nebuchadnezzar was very angry, and his face showed his anger.  He told his helpers to make the furnace 7 times hotter that it was before.  He ordered his army men to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego and throw them into the fiery furnace.
[19] Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
[20] And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
 

The army men tied up the men. They were still wearing their coats, hats, and other clothes. They the soldiers threw them into the fiery furnace.
[21] Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.


The fire was so hot that it burned the soldiers who threw the Jewish men in.
[22] Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.


Shadrach, Meshace, and Abed-nego fell down into the fire in the furnace.
[23] And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
 

Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in a hurry. He was shocked. He asked his helpers if they only threw 3 men into the furnace. His helpers said yes, there were only 3 men.
[24] Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellers, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.


 

Nebuchadnezzar sees 4 men in the fiery furnace. Graphic from www.free-stories.net

Nebuchadnezzar said he could see 4 men walking in the fire. The 4 men were not hurt. The 4th man looked like the Son of God.
[25] He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.


Nebuchadnezzar went close to the opening of the fiery furnace. He called to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. He said they were servants of God. He told them to come out of the furnace.  Then the 3 men came out of the fire.
[26] Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth of the midst of the fire.


All of the king's leaders were there. They saw the 3 men come of the furnace. The men were not burned at all. Their hair was not burned, their clothes were not burned, and they did not smell like smoke.
[27] And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellers, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.


Then Nebuchadnezzar talked. He blessed the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. The king said that the men trusted God, and God sent His angel and saved the men. The men would only worship God. They would not worship any other god or Nebuchadnezzar's statue.
[28] Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

Nebuchadnezzar made a decree (rule, order).  If anyone from anywhere says anything bad against God, they will be cut into pieces. Their houses will become garbage dumps.  No other god is equal to God.  
[29] Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.


Then the king gave Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego more important jobs in Babylon.
[30] Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon.

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