The story of Daniel begins with Nebuchadnezzar destroying the city of Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar took Daniel and three other young men to Babylon to serve in his palace. Their names are changed, beginning a process of indoctrination into the language, customs and religion of Babylon. At times, Daniel and his friends must have felt as if God had abandoned them, and yet they lived as if God was still very much alive and in control of their lives.