Chapter 1: The Fall of Jerusalem

In the days when Judah still had kings, the armies of Babylon came.

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, marched against Jerusalem. Jehoiakim, king of Judah, saw the forces gathered against him and surrendered. There was no siege, no fire — only submission. From that day, Judah served Babylon.

Nebuchadnezzar took what he wanted. He carried away sacred vessels from the house of God — gold and silver set apart for worship — and placed them in the treasury of his own gods.

But the vessels were not all he took.

He commanded Ashpenaz, his chief official:

NEBUCHADNEZZAR“Bring me their finest — young men of royal blood, without blemish, quick to learn. They will serve in my palace.”

Ashpenaz obeyed. He selected youths from the royal family and the nobility of Judah — and among those chosen was a boy named Daniel — a name that meant 'God is my judge.' He was perhaps fifteen years old.

The road to Babylon stretched hundreds of miles. Daniel walked for weeks, leaving behind everything he had ever known.

When they finally saw Babylon, it rose before them like nothing they had ever imagined — massive walls, towering gates covered in glazed blue brick, statues of gods they did not know.

It was a city built to make them forget who they were. But Daniel would not forget.