Daniel 1:1

Memory Verse

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem and besieged it (Daniel 1:1).

In 605 BC, Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem resulting in Jehoiakim submitting and paying tribute to him (2 Kings 24:1). Jehoiakim was an evil king who followed in the ways of his father (2 Kings 23:37). God brought against Judah raiding bands from the Chaldeans, Syrians, Moabites, and Ammon to destroy Judah according to the words He gave the prophets (2 Kings 24:2–3). After sacking Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar took many captives, including men from the royal line. Daniel was among those taken captive (Daniel 1:6).

The Lord gave Jehoiakim into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, along with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried to the land of Shinar (Daniel 1:2). Jehoiakim, as King, perished in his eleventh year when he revolted against Nebuchadnezzar and was taken captive (2 Chronicles 36:6). 2 Kings 24:6 indicates that Jehoiakim died before being taken to Babylon.