Among those who maintained their allegiance to God were Daniel and his three companions--illustrious examples of what men may become who unite with the God of wisdom and power. From the comparative simplicity of their Jewish home, these youth of royal line were taken to the most magnificent of cities and into the court of the world's greatest monarch. Nebuchadnezzar "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; children in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace. . . .

Blandt de mænd, der vedblev at være tro imod Gud, var Daniel og hans tre medbrødre. Disse var strålende eksempler på, hvor vidt mennesker kan nå, når de slutter pagt med visdommens og kraftens Gud. Disse unge mænd, som var af kongelig slægt, kom fra forholdsvis beskedne jødiske hjem og blev pludselig anbragt i den prægtigste af jordens byer, hvor de knyttedes til hoffet hos verdens største monark. Nebukadnezar "bød derpå sin overhofmester Asjpenaz at tage nogle israelitter, dels af kongelig slægt, dels af adelig byrd, unge mænd uden mindste lyde og med et smukt ydre, vel bevandrede i al visdom, kundskabsrige og lærenemme, egnede til at gøre tjeneste i kongens plads .....